Police officer dismissed for using racist language

The officer would have been dismissed had he still been serving, a misconduct hearing concluded

A police officer would have been dismissed had he not already resigned after using racist and misogynistic language towards his colleagues, a misconduct panel said.

PC Andrew Goodwin, who was based at Parkside Police Station in Cambridge, was alleged to have used racial and sexually offensive language whilst off duty, during a social outing with team members in London in December.

At a misconduct hearing on 4 November he was found to have breached the police's Standards of Professional Behaviour.

Chief Constable Simon Megicks said: "Racist and misogynistic behaviour or language has absolutely no place in policing, whether in the workplace or outside of it."

Trust undermined

Goodwin was found to have made an offensive comment to a black male Muslim officer, which caused "offence and upset".

He also mentioned a female colleague's body parts telling her that she looked "really fit" in her police uniform, again "causing offence and upset".

The hearing concluded Goodwin breached police standards in respect of authority, respect and courtesy, equality and diversity and discreditable conduct and would have been dismissed if he was still a serving officer.

Mr Megicks added: "Police officers are expected to lead by example at all times, on and off duty.

"Such conduct not only discredits the individual officer but undermines the integrity of the entire police force, eroding the trust and confidence that our communities place in us.

"We remain committed to holding our officers to the highest standards and will take decisive action where those standards are breached."