An on-duty police sergeant who forced a prostitute to perform a sex act or face arrest has been jailed for two-and-a-half years.
Former Merseyside Police sergeant David Gibson was found guilty of misconduct in public office after an allegation emerged in May 2015 that he had engaged in a sexual act with a sex worker while on duty.
The 44-year-old from Kirkman Fold, Rainhill, who had served as a police officer for more than 20 years, was handed the 30-month custodial sentence after a five-day trial at Liverpool Crown Court.
Deputy Chief Constable Andy Cooke said: "Gibson has today been found guilty by a jury of wilful misconduct in a public office and at no point during the judicial process did he admit that his behaviour was wholly unacceptable and that he had taken advantage of a vulnerable woman.
"This was a complete dereliction of duty and is not acceptable on any level.
"He was on duty and was there to protect our communities, not to satisfy his own needs. He was in a position of trust and he abused that trust."
Early in the morning on November 6 2014 Gibson left Eaton Road station, in West Derby, during a night shift without telling colleagues where he was going, the Liverpool Echo reported.
He then picked up a 30-year-old woman in his car and drove to a secluded spot where the offence took place.
The allegation became the subject of an investigation conducted by Merseyside Police's Anti-Corruption Unit and managed by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).
IPCC Commissioner Carl Gumsley said the force had conducted a "thorough and professional investigation" into the allegation against Gibson.
He added: "It is vital that such allegations against police officers are brought to the attention of the police and the IPCC, properly investigated, and the appropriate legal proceedings allowed to take their course."