During 2018 I was very depressed due a a close relative passing away 18 months before. The police officer messaged me online, saying he’d also suffered cancer and I could message him anytime for support, I could trust him as he worked for the police and was not (in his words) an online creep. He gained my confidence and trust but I eventually became very depressed, started self harming & having suicidal thoughts due to his behaviour. He would play with my emotions, encouraging me to move closer to him and then using emotional and coercive behaviour. He would also send intimate photos (in his uniform from the station) & get me to send them too. I found out he was doing the same with multiple women, using the same tactics. I spoke with a good friend who was also a police officer who warned me he was using grooming tactics & to end all contact. As soon as I ended the relationship, he would message me & go looking online at my relatives social media. He eventually stopped when I threatened to report him to his cheif inspector. I was vulnerable and open to being taken advantage of. As a police officer I believe now that he used his job to gain my trust.
Constabulary: Police Scotland
Timespan: 2018
Did you report it to the police?: No
Your ethnicity: White British
Have you experienced suicidality due to this?: Thoughts/feelings
Are you disabled as defined under the Equality Act 2010?: Yes
