Officers face hearing over alleged racist messages
The officers no longer work for Avon and Somerset Police
- Published
Two police officers are to face a misconduct hearing after allegedly exchanging WhatsApp messages deemed to be racist while on duty.
Detective constables Simon Jones and Robert Corry were formerly officers with Avon and Somerset Police, based in Bristol.
The pair will face the hearing, set to last two days, on 4 April.
It will be held at force headquarters in Portishead and chaired by an independent legally qualified chair.
'Failed to challenge'
A statement on the force website said: "The allegations are: In April 2020, former DC Jones and former DC Corry exchanged WhatsApp messages with each other in relation to two other colleagues.
"These messages contained discriminatory comments about the two other colleagues on the grounds of race.
"Both former DC Jones and former DC Corry failed to challenge each other in relation to these comments.
"If proven, these facts could be considered to amount to gross misconduct."
The allegation, the statement added, was that while on duty, the officers breached the standards of professional behaviour in terms of authority, respect and courtesy; equality and diversity; challenging and reporting improper behaviour; and discreditable conduct.