Overview
- An accelerated misconduct hearing on 17 December, chaired by Chief Constable Rob Carden, found gross misconduct and dismissed DC John Rigby without notice.
- Rigby's name was added to the College of Policing barred list, which prevents future employment in policing roles.
- He pleaded guilty in November at Chester Magistrates' Court to paying for sexual services of a male child aged 16 or 17 and to three unauthorised searches of force systems on 4 March, 6 March and 25 April 2025.
- Merseyside Police said his salary was stopped when he was remanded in custody in November, in line with regulations.
- The panel said his actions were deliberate, no mitigation was offered, and he did not resign, citing serious harm to public confidence and the vulnerability of children involved in sex work.