Thomas Hawkes, 23 from Essex, was an officer in City of London Police – but will now have to report to police for five years as a sex offender.
Police chiefs have since described his crimes as “appalling” and “abhorrent”.
On September 14, 2023, Hawkes was arrested and his mobile phone searched.
This revealed messages sent using the social media platform Snapchat between October 31, 2018 and April 26, 2022.
The Snapchat messages began when Hawkes was 16 asking her how old she was.
She replied that she was 12 years old and Hawkes gave his correct age.
He then responded that she didn’t look 12 and continued to speak with her for a number of years.
Detective Superintendent Carly Humphreys, Head of Professional Standards, said: “The actions of Hawkes were predatory and sexual in nature towards a girl who was only 12 years old.
“ Communicating as he was with an underage victim is abhorrent. To join a police service while continuing to do so, is utterly incomprehensible.
“We are here to help victims and bring criminals like Hawkes to justice.
“This case will cause distress to parents of children who use social media where conversations with complete strangers are happening.
“We encourage the action being taken in schools and by parents and carers to ensure that conversations, without judgement, are taking place with children for them to understand social media.”
Following an investigation, Hawkes of Broughton Road, South Woodham Ferrers was added to the sex offender register, meaning he will have to report to the police for five years.
He was also ordered to complete a 25-hour rehabilitation order and undertake 60 hours unpaid work as part of a two-year community order.
Hawkes had been suspended due to an unrelated matter since June 2023.
He resigned from the City of London Police on October 22, 2024 and was subject to an unrelated accelerated misconduct hearing after he shared body worn video footage of a police incident to someone outside the force.
Chairing that hearing, the City of London Police Commissioner, Pete O’Doherty, said that had Thomas Hawkes still been a serving officer, he would have been dismissed without notice.
Detective Superintendent Bonnie Moore, Head of Essex Police’s Professional Standards Department said: “The most important thing about today’s sentencing is that the victim in this case has seen Hawkes face justice – protecting the children of Essex has been our upmost priority throughout City of London’s investigation.
“His crimes are appalling and he has no place in policing anywhere.
“Hawkes’ offending threatens the trust and confidence thousands of our officers, staff and volunteers work to build every day – today’s sentencing and his previous barring from policing are crucial parts of rebuilding that confidence.
“Our Professional Standards Department have supported City of London officers throughout this investigation – our commitment to upholding the standards the public rightly expect extends to every part of our officers and volunteers’ time in service.”
