Police officer dismissed over offensive messages

The messages were sent via WhatsApp over a number of months, including while the officer was on duty.

A Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) officer has been dismissed for sending "highly inappropriate and offensive" messages via WhatsApp, including while on duty.

They contained material which was sectarian, racist, homophobic, antisemitic, misogynistic and sexualised, said the Police Ombudsman's office.

A person who received them over a series of months complained to the Police Ombudsman when the officer continued to send the material even after being asked twice to stop.

Eight officers who received and failed to report or challenge the messages have been referred to the PSNI and the Chief Constable said a further three officers had been dismissed recently in "similar circumstances".

Nikki Davis, director of investigations with the Police Ombudsman's office, says some of the material was an example of online gender-based hate speech

"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.

She said it 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," Mrs Davis said.

She described some of the material as 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's professional standards department.

The Chief Constable held a special hearing and the police officer was dismissed after he was found to have breached the PSNI code of ethics.

PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher said these actions have "no place in policing"

'No excuse' says Chief Constable

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, antisemitism 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.

Boutcher said a "further three officers have been dismissed without notice in recent months in similar circumstances following wholly inappropriate material being shared amongst groups".

He added that officers "exercise significant powers" and it's vital that there is an "accountability framework" for them.

'Totally unacceptable'

Liam Kelly, from the Police Federation, says "behaviour such as this case has rightly resulted in dismissal"

The chair of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland said "officers are held to the highest possible standards both on and off duty".

Liam Kelly continued: "Behaviour such as this case has rightly resulted in dismissal from service and should serve as a timely reminder that similar behaviour is totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated."