JONATHAN PETERS SENTENCED IN LONDON FOR POLICE MISCONDUCT AND SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP

A former police officer from London has been handed an eight-month prison sentence after admitting to misconduct in public office, following a thorough investigation conducted by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

Jonathan Peters, aged 37, who was assigned to the South East Command Unit, appeared at Southwark Crown Court to face charges related to his inappropriate conduct. The court heard that Peters engaged in a sexual relationship with a woman who was in a vulnerable state, a woman he had encountered during his official duties as a police officer. The misconduct took place over a period stretching from March to December 2021, during which Peters used his position to persuade the woman to begin a sexual relationship with him.

The investigation uncovered that Peters had attended the woman’s residence as part of a police investigation, but then continued to contact her repeatedly through phone calls that had no official police purpose. Phone records obtained during the inquiry revealed that the officer maintained ongoing communication with the woman beyond the scope of his professional duties, raising serious concerns about abuse of authority and breach of professional standards.

Amanda Rowe, the director of the IOPC, underscored the importance of integrity and professionalism among police officers, especially when dealing with vulnerable individuals. She stated, “Jonathan Peters abused his position as a police officer for a sexual purpose, a form of corruption, and he has now paid the price with a criminal conviction, the loss of his career, and a period of imprisonment.”

She further emphasized the message this case sends to law enforcement personnel, saying, “This sends a strong message to others in policing that this type of behaviour will be robustly investigated, and they will have to live with the serious consequences of their actions.”

The investigation was initiated in January 2022 after a conduct referral from the police force. Following a comprehensive inquiry that concluded in July 2023, evidence was forwarded to the Crown Prosecution Service, which subsequently charged Peters with the offence. An accelerated misconduct hearing was held on 10 April 2025, after his criminal conviction, resulting in his immediate dismissal from duty for discreditable conduct. Additionally, Peters was placed on the police barred list, effectively ending his career in law enforcement.

Beyond the criminal proceedings, Peters faced a disciplinary hearing for violations of police standards of professional behaviour. Further disciplinary actions are expected to be taken in coordination with the police force to address breaches of conduct and uphold the integrity of the police service.