A former armed officer from West London is due in court today, charged with a serious child sex offence, in a case that has sent ripples through the police community.
Barry Geering, 44, from Ealing, is set to appear before Bristol Magistrates’ Court following his arrest on 30 April 2024.
The arrest was made as part of an ongoing investigation led by the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit’s (SWROCU) Online Investigations Team, which collaborates nationally to combat child sexual abuse.
Ex-Firearms Officer Resigned Following Arrest
At the time of his arrest, Geering was serving as a firearms officer with Wiltshire Police. He held the rank of Police Constable. Following the charges, he was immediately suspended and later resigned from the force, officially stepping down on 21 July 2024.
He was formally charged on 7 April with attempted sexual communication with a child under the age of 16 and is currently out on conditional bail.
Wiltshire Police has confirmed that its Professional Standards Department has launched a parallel internal inquiry. This investigation is focusing on potential breaches of professional conduct, separate from the criminal proceedings.
A spokesperson for the force stated: “To protect the integrity of the ongoing criminal proceedings, we’re unable to go into more specific detail of the allegations at this stage.”
This case has raised fresh concerns over the vetting and monitoring of police officers, particularly those in specialist roles such as firearms units. Public trust in policing remains fragile, and incidents like this only intensify scrutiny on internal police accountability systems.
Geering’s court appearance today will be the first step in the legal process, with further hearings likely to follow depending on how the case develops.
As Barry Geering stands before magistrates today, the legal process begins to determine the full extent of the allegations.
While Wiltshire Police’s internal inquiry continues in the background, this case underscores the urgent need for robust oversight in law enforcement ranks. The public will no doubt be watching closely as more details emerge.
