A FORMER student police officer has been handed a community order after uploading indecent images of children.

Keel Walker of Redhall Road, Lower Gornal joined West Midlands Police in March last year.

The following month, officers from the Online Child Sexual Exploitation Team (OCSET) executed a warrant at his home address and several devices were found.

The 21-year-old was suspended from duty while an investigation was carried out. He was subsequently charged after he was found to have uploaded indecent images of children.

The officer resigned from his post in September, but a misconduct hearing concluded he would have been sacked had he not already resigned.

As a result, he has been placed on the Barred List meaning he will not be allowed to work in regulated activity with children.

Chief Constable Sir David Thompson said that it is “unacceptable for police officers to break the law” and Walker was “unsuitable for policing”.

On January 27 Walker was placed on the Sex Offender Register after pleading guilty to the charges at Dudley Magistrates Court.

At a hearing on March 14, he was ordered to participate in a sex offenders programme and must carry out 150 hours of unpaid work within the next twelve months.

Walker also received a sexual harm prevention order and must pay a £280 court bill.