A Thames Valley police officer has been sentenced for misconduct after forming a personal relationship with a suspect he arrested
Slough: A police officer from Thames Valley has found himself in hot water. Matthew Lynch, 37, was sentenced to 17 months in jail for misconduct. He got into a personal relationship with a woman he had arrested. This all came to light after an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
Lynch was suspended back in August 2023. He admitted to having sexual contact with the woman while he was in charge of her case. This went on from March to June and continued even after the case was dropped in October 2021.
He started his career with Thames Valley Police as a community support officer in 2007 and became a constable in 2017. He officially left the force in September 2024.
The investigation kicked off after the police made a mandatory referral to the IOPC in November 2021. Lynch’s mobile phones were examined, and several witnesses were interviewed, including the woman involved.
In June last year, he pleaded guilty to misconduct in a public office. A solicitor representing the victim expressed relief that Lynch was held accountable for his actions, which left her with emotional scars.
The IOPC emphasized that police officers should never exploit vulnerable individuals. Lynch’s actions have damaged public trust in the police, and it’s a stark reminder of the importance of integrity in law enforcement.
