Gross misconduct over officer's offensive messages
BBCA former police officer who posted an offensive video and messages in a WhatsApp group has been found to have committed gross misconduct.
The officer, who had previously been granted anonymity, had been a serving member of Northamptonshire Police when the incidents took place between June and December, 2020.
He posted a video that depicted a male being violently beaten to death, and then sent messages that were considered to be inappropriate and/or denigrating and/or offensive and/or discriminatory.
The hearing concluded had the former officer not resigned from the force during the investigation, he would have been dismissed.
As well as sending the video and messages, it was further alleged that, when other police officers who were also members of the same WhatsApp group, used inappropriate, demeaning, denigrating, offensive, derogatory, and/or discriminatory language when referring to members of the public and colleagues, the former officer failed to challenge or report them for improper conduct.
More from Northamptonshire:
The panel found the majority of the allegations made against the former officer "proved to the level of gross misconduct".
They said: "Having considered the allegations that the panel found proven, specifically the offensive, demeaning, and sometimes discriminatory conduct of the [former officer] towards females, including colleagues and persons with a disability, the panel determined that the proportionate and appropriate conclusion that it could reach in the circumstances [was] to impose disciplinary action."
Do you have a story suggestion for Northamptonshire? Contact us below.
Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
