Ex-Kent PC barred from policing after sex line contact
Former officer tasked with tackling modern slavery and violence against women would have been sacked for gross misconduct.
Incident → evidence → outcomeFormer Police Constable Trevor Bonett has been barred from working in policing after a misconduct panel found he would have been dismissed from Kent Police for gross misconduct. The former officer retired in December 2025, prior to the hearing.
A panel determined on Tuesday 8 September that Bonett's actions breached the standards of professional behaviour concerning honesty and integrity, duties and responsibilities, and discreditable conduct. His role at Kent Police involved reviewing intelligence specifically on Modern-day Slavery and Human Trafficking, and Violence Against Women and Girls.
Contact with sex workers
During an investigation, it was found that Bonett's personal mobile number had been used to contact a brothel in the Maidstone area on two occasions. Further enquiries using phone data revealed a pattern of contact with sex lines or adult sex websites between January 2024 and June 2024, while he was on annual leave or rest days.
Emily Barry, IOPC Director of Engagement, stated that Bonett would have known the high probability of contacting vulnerable individuals when using such services. She added that he had received specific training and regular briefings on safeguarding sex workers who advertise on adult service websites. Barry noted that Bonett should have followed correct policies to declare these associations, which compromised his integrity and impartiality.
“His conduct fell way below the professional standards expected of him and through this hearing, he has now been held accountable for his actions.”
Barry commented that Bonett breached the trust placed in him for personal gratification, undermining the work of others in policing to protect vulnerable people. The panel concluded that his actions fell significantly below expected professional standards.
Next steps
As a result of the findings, Bonett will be placed on the policing barred list. This prevents him from being employed by any police force in the future.
Questions this report answers
01What was former PC Trevor Bonett found to have done?
Former PC Trevor Bonett was found to have contacted sex lines or adult sex websites between January and June 2024. His personal mobile number was also identified as having been used to contact a brothel on two occasions.
02What was the consequence for Trevor Bonett's actions?
A misconduct panel ruled that Trevor Bonett would have been dismissed from Kent Police for gross misconduct had he not retired. He has now been placed on the policing barred list, preventing future employment in policing.
03Which professional standards did Trevor Bonett breach?
The panel found that Trevor Bonett's conduct breached professional standards relating to honesty and integrity, duties and responsibilities, and discreditable conduct. These findings were made following an investigation directed by the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
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