A POLICE officer has been jailed after having sex with a suicidal woman while on duty.

Michael Fletcher had been sent to the vulnerable woman’s home after concerns about her welfare.

But the 31-year-old ‘took advantage of the situation’ and slept with her during his shift, Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court heard.

And hours later, after clocking off, he returned to the house and again had sex with the woman.

Yesterday the PC’s behaviour was described as ‘disgraceful, opportunistic and totally unacceptable’ by a top police investigator.

And his Chief Constable said that Fletcher, of Rossendale, had behaved ‘appallingly’.

He was jailed for 32 months by Judge Peter Lakin after admitting two counts of misconduct in a public office.

The court heard an investigation into Fletcher’s actions was launched by Greater Manchester Police's professional standards branch on July 21 after concerns were raised about his behaviour after he visited the woman’s house in Littleborough, near Rochdale.

He was arrested and resigned from the force five days later.

Exact details about why he was called to the house have not been released by the police.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) managed the investigation on behalf of the professional standards branch.

IPCC Commissioner Naseem Malik said: “Fletcher was sent to deal with welfare concerns about the woman.

His job was to assist her, ensure she was safe and, if appropriate, seek assistance for her from the appropriate agencies.

“However, he also appears to have used the situation for his own sexual gratification.

“His behaviour was disgraceful, opportunistic and totally unacceptable.

“I must stress that the public can be assured that, where such allegations are made, they will be robustly and thoroughly investigated by the IPCC and the police forces involved.

“In this instance, the weight of evidence collated by the investigation against Fletcher was overwhelming, prompting his resignation as a police officer and his guilty plea.”

Peter Fahy, Chief Constable of GMP, said the force’s “robust” response to the claims meant Fletcher, of Blackwood Court, Stacksteads, had no choice but to admit the charges.

He said: “As soon as this was reported we took swift and decisive action, started an investigation and immediately suspended the officer from duty.

"Because we dealt with this so robustly, the officer had no choice but to resign and due to the evidence presented before him he also pleaded guilty to the offences.

"Fletcher was sent to help this woman, ensure she was safe and arrange appropriate support from other agencies.

“Fletcher abused his position and disgracefully took advantage of the situation. Such behaviour within Greater Manchester Police will not be tolerated.

"What this officer did has a huge impact on how the public view the police and the hard work and dedication of the majority of officers has now been undermined by his disgraceful and appalling behaviour.”

Mr Fahy said any police officers who commit crimes would be dealt with in the same way as other criminals.

He said: "No-one is above the law, and officers who commit crimes will, quite rightly, be treated exactly the same way as everyone else.

“Both Greater Manchester Police and the public expect high standards from its police officers, whether on or off-duty, and any evidence of criminality or misconduct will be dealt with.”