Former officer forced to forfeit pension in landmark case

A former Cambridgeshire Constabulary police officer who was jailed for making indecent images of children has had his pension denied following a decision by Police and Crime Commissioner, Darryl Preston.

James Jordan, 35, was sentenced to four years in prison and placed on the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years in February 2023, after admitting three counts of misconduct in public office and five counts of making indecent images of children.

He was dismissed without notice in January 2023 following conviction.

Under Police Pensions Regulations 2006 and 2015, the Commissioner is the decision-maker for pension forfeiture where an officer is convicted of a criminal offence, and their actions are ‘considered to be gravely injurious to the state’ or liable to damage public confidence.

The Home Secretary issued a certificate in November 2025 allowing the Commissioner to proceed with a formal decision-making meeting in May 2026 as to whether Mr Jordan was entitled to his pension.

Independent legal advice was sought before a judgement was made to remove the legal maximum of 65% - the total amount of pension funded by the Constabulary.

The Commissioner said: “Policing depends on integrity and here in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, the vast majority of our officers deal with the most demanding of situations with the highest levels of integrity. However, where that trust is so profoundly abused, it is right that the strongest available action is taken in accordance with the law.

“These offences represent extremely serious criminal conduct, involving sexual abuse of children. The offending was committed whilst Mr Jordan was a serving police officer entrusted to protect vulnerable victims in a Child Abuse and Safeguarding Unit.

“The number of identified victims involved impacts on wider community trust. Mr Jordan’s actions have undermined the professionalism and integrity of policing colleagues.

“The combination of the nature of the offences, the role held, and the resulting harm to public confidence weighs heavily in favour of forfeiture.”

Mr Jordan, who joined the constabulary in July 2017, failed to attend or send legal representation to the meeting to hear the Commissioner’s decision.

As a result of the Commissioner’s decision, Mr Jordan can only legally claim the money he paid in to the scheme and will receive no payments from Cambridgeshire Police.

ENDS