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A disgraced police officer resigned after it was discovered he had sent an indecent image of a young girl to a convicted sex offender.

But West Midlands Police has refused to identity the officer who also allegedly made 500 internet searches for inappropriate images of kids.

The force claimed the anonymity decision at a disciplinary hearing was taken to 'to protect innocent people associated with him'.

No criminal charges have been brought against the cop whose phone was seized back in July 2017.

At a police misconduct hearing today (Tuesday), Chief Constable Dave Thompson said the unnamed officer would have been dismissed for gross misconduct had he not already resigned in December.

(Image: Graham Young / BirminghamLive)

The neighbourhood officer, who served for 20 years, was investigated by West Mercia Police who referred the case to the Crown Prosecution Service. A decision was made not to prosecute.

West Midlands Police Professional Standards Department commissioned further investigation of the officer’s conduct, which indicated an 'active sexual interest in underage teenage girls'.

The disciplinary hearing, held at Lloyd House HQ, revealed West Midlands Police was alerted by the National Crime Agency which discovered an indecent image had been sent on Facebook to a convicted sex offender. Other images were said to show he had an interest in girls between the ages of 14 and 16.

It was also alleged a Snapchat account had also been set up so the officer could contact girls aged between 14 and 16.

(Image: West Midlands Police)

In a statement released after the hearing, Mr Thompson said he found the actions of the former officer had amounted to gross misconduct.

CC Thompson said: “It is totally unimaginable that someone who has behaved in this way could remain as a police officer.

“He has brought great shame on the police and there are no mitigating factors.”

The former officer will also be barred from being employed or appointed by a police force or other specified law enforcement body for a minimum of five years.

