A former Avon & Somerset police officer has been slammed with a 13-month jail term after pleading guilty to making and sharing indecent images of children.
Michael Elmer Caught Red-Handed
Michael Elmer, 36, was a Bristol-based police constable who was suspended in May 2025 following a raid by the Internet Child Abuse Team. The investigation began after crucial intelligence was uncovered. He faced five chilling charges at Exeter Crown Court in February, all of which he admitted. These included:
- Three counts of making indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of children
- One count of distributing indecent images of children
- One count of sharing intimate photos or films for sexual gratification
Resigned Before Getting Fired, Now Banned For Life
Elmer resigned before a misconduct hearing this month, where he was found guilty of gross misconduct. Had he not quit, he would have been dismissed and slapped on the national barred list, banning him from any future policing or law enforcement work. At Exeter Crown Court on Monday 20 April, Judge David Evans condemned Elmer’s “deliberate offending,” highlighting his disturbing online behaviour, which clearly showed sexual interest in children. Evans added that his crimes were “too serious” for anything but a custodial sentence. Along with jail time, Elmer was handed a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) to restrict his activities and protect the public.
Judge Evans: “The offences are too serious to be dealt with by any other way than custody.”
