A former Wiltshire Police officer has avoided jail for a child sex offence.
Barry Geering pleaded guilty to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child after he was caught through a conversation on Snapchat.
The 44-year-old thought he was having sexualised chats with a youngster, but he wasn’t and his offending was revealed to officers.
The South West Regional Organised Crime Unit’s Online Investigations Team tracked him down – and arrested him in April 2024.
He was a serving police officer at Wiltshire Police, and was suspended from duty immediately. He resigned two months later and gross misconduct proceedings were started.
Bristol Crown Court sentenced Geering to 28 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months. He must also complete 30 days of rehabilitation activity and carry out 80 hours of unpaid work.
He will remain on the Sex Offenders’ Register for seven years and is subject to a seven-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
Temporary Detective Inspector Alex Spargo from SWROCU’s Online Investigations Team said: “Barry Geering thought he was communicating with a child when he used Snapchat to engage in sexual communications.
“The work of our team means he was promptly identified and arrested – and, critically, he no longer works as a police officer.”
Wiltshire Police’s Professional Standards Department carried out a separate internal investigation into whether Geering had breached the standards of professional behaviour.
That investigation has now concluded, and the outcome will inform an Accelerated Misconduct Hearing scheduled for July.
Wiltshire Police Chief Constable Catherine Roper said: “I, like my colleagues, am appalled by the actions of this former officer.
“I also recognise that this may impact upon trust and confidence our communities have in Wiltshire Police.
“The abhorrent crime, for which he has been sentenced, is against everything that we in policing represent.
“Our core priority is to protect the most vulnerable in society, and to keep everyone safe. This is the priority of Wiltshire Police.”
