Michael Elmer

Michael Elmer, a 36-year-old former police constable based in Bristol, was arrested in May 2025 by officers from Avon and Somerset Police's Internet Child Abuse Team. The arrest followed intelligence received by the force, leading to charges against him for serious sexual offences involving indecent images of children.

Elmer first appeared at Exeter Magistrates’ Court in January 2026. At a subsequent hearing in Exeter Crown Court in February 2026, he pleaded guilty to five offences: three counts of making an indecent photograph or pseudo-photograph of a child, one count of distributing an indecent photograph or pseudo-photograph of a child, and one count of sharing a photograph or film of a person in an intimate state for the purpose of sexual gratification.

Following his arrest, Elmer was immediately suspended from duty and later resigned from Avon and Somerset Police. Due to his conviction, an accelerated misconduct hearing was convened at Police Headquarters on 7 April 2026. The panel found that he had committed gross misconduct, determining that he would have been dismissed had he not already resigned. As a result, Elmer has been permanently barred from working in policing or any other law enforcement role in the United Kingdom.

Deputy Chief Constable Jon Reilly commented on the case, stating: “This former officer has committed abhorrent offences for which he will be sentenced later this month. As soon as we became aware of the offences, an investigation was launched and he was suspended from duty. The outcome of this misconduct process means he will never be able to work in policing or any other law enforcement role again.” Reilly further emphasised the impact of Elmer's actions, noting: “His deplorable actions have appalled his former colleagues, who he’s severely let down, along with the public he took an oath to serve and protect. We will always take robust action when officers or staff members fail to meet the high standards expected of them, but it’s also important to stress these cases do not reflect the hard work, dedication and courage of the vast majority.”

The sentencing for Elmer's criminal convictions was scheduled for 20 April 2026 at Exeter Crown Court. Avon and Somerset Police, responsible for the investigation, reiterated their commitment to upholding high standards within the force.