A police officer has been dismissed for sending “highly inappropriate and offensive” messages after a person who received them complained to the Police Ombudsman.
The messages, which were sent via WhatsApp over a number of months, including when the officer was on duty, contained material which was sectarian, racist, homophobic, anti-Semitic, misogynistic and sexualised.
The complainant contacted the Police Ombudsman when the police officer continued to send the material, despite having been asked to stop on two occasions.
“Digital analysis of the police officer’s phone showed that he had sent multiple images and videos, which were highly inappropriate and offensive, to the complainant, other members of the public and other police officers,” said Nikki Davis, Director of Investigations with the Police Ombudsman’s Office.
“This was not a one-off, isolated incident, which could potentially be attributed to a lapse in judgement. It was sustained, consistent behaviour, exacerbated by the police officer’s view, when interviewed by our investigators, that he did not consider the material to be offensive or his actions to be in breach of the PSNI Code of Ethics.”
Some of the material is also an example of online gender-based hate speech:
“When this kind of messaging specifically targets women and combines sexual, racist and sectarian references, it moves into the realm of online gender-based hate speech,” said Mrs Davis.
“For a police officer to display these attitudes and behaviours towards women, is unacceptable, and specifically undermines the PSNI’s commitment to ending violence against women and girls.
“However, this case demonstrates that allegations of misconduct will be robustly investigated and that officers will be held to account, all of which contributes positively to public confidence in policing.”
Following the conclusion of the Police Ombudsman investigation, a file was submitted to the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) in relation to the potential offences of Misconduct in Public Office and sending grossly offensive messages contrary to the Communications Act (2003). The PPS directed no prosecution. A misconduct file was then submitted to the PSNI Professional Standards Department. The Chief Constable held a special hearing, after which the police officer was dismissed.
He was found to have breached a number of articles of the PSNI Code of Ethics, including those relating to:
- Professional Duty where ‘whether on or off duty, Police Officers shall not behave in a way that is likely to bring discredit upon the Police Service’.
- Equality where ‘police officers shall act with fairness, self-control, tolerance and impartiality when carrying out their duties. They shall use appropriate language and behaviour in their dealings with members of the public, groups from within the public and their colleagues. They shall give equal respect to all individuals and their traditions, beliefs and lifestyles provided that such are compatible with the rule of law.’
- Integrity where ‘police officers shall act with integrity towards members of the public and their colleagues so that confidence in the Police Service is secured and maintained. They shall avoid all forms of behaviour that may reasonably be perceived to be abuse, harassment, bullying or victimisation.’
Eight police officers who received the messages and failed to report or challenge them, were referred to PSNI in relation to potential breaches of the PSNI Code of Ethics.
In response, the PSNI’s Chief Constable, Jon Boutcher, said: “We expect the highest standards of professionalism and integrity from all of our police officers in accordance with the standards contained in the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Code of Ethics.
“This matter was heard by myself in a Special Case Hearing and our robust actions show that we will not tolerate this damaging and unprofessional behaviour – there is no excuse.
“The messages repeatedly shared by this former constable were shocking, wholly inappropriate and discriminatory. The attitudes of sectarianism, racism, homophobia, anti-Semitism and misogyny within these messages have no place in policing.
“The police officers who received the messages and failed to report or challenge them were subject to management action in relation to potential breaches of our Code of Ethics.
“A further three officers have been dismissed without notice in recent months in similar circumstances following wholly inappropriate material being shared amongst groups.
“Police officers exercise significant powers, and it is vital that there is an accountability framework for officers. If the public is to have confidence that we will police without prejudice and fairly, it is essential that just as we, as the Police Service, pursue perpetrators in our communities, we are as committed to rooting out those that may be in our own ranks.”
