A SERVING Essex Police officer will face a misconduct hearing next week during which he will be accused of sending pictures of a sexual nature while in uniform.

PC Benjamin Norfolk is due to appear before a hearing convened in Colchester, which will take place from Monday, October 26 until Friday, October 30.

The officer is accused of coercive and controlling behaviour during a relationship. An advance notice of the hearing issued by the force says he is alleged to have breached the Standards of Professional Behaviour relating to Authority, Respect and Courtesy and Discreditable Conduct.

It's further alleged PC Norfolk sent photos of a sexual nature while in police uniform which appeared to have been taken in the workplace.

The allegations have not yet been determined and will be considered as part of the misconduct hearing.

It's not the first time an Essex Police officer has been hauled before a misconduct hearing involving sexual pictures.

Last year former officer PC Clive Wilson was told he would have been sacked, had he not already resigned, after he was found to have made posts offering services in return for payment on an adult site.

And in April last year a chief superintendent in the force was dismissed following an Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation into his sexual conduct towards female colleagues.

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Tom Simons was sacked at the end of a disciplinleary hearing, which began on 31 March, where the panel found that he had committed gross misconduct.

Ch Supt Simons was found to have abused his senior position for a sexual purpose in relation to one woman; had sexual contact with women while on duty; touched a colleague inappropriately; and failed to disclose his relationship with a woman.

His conduct, which related to two female colleagues, was found to have breached the police professional standards of behaviour relating to integrity; authority, respect and courtesy; duties and responsibilities; and discreditable conduct.