PC sacked after discriminatory messages surface

Mr Thrumble worked for Dorset Police when the allegations surfaced

A police officer was sacked after racially discriminatory and offensive messages he posted in a WhatsApp chat with colleagues surfaced.

Jack Thrumble was sacked from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary.

But he worked for Dorset Police as an unpaid special constable when he sent the messages, which were referred to the police watchdog in 2022.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said his sacking showed such behaviour will not be tolerated.

The IOPC advised Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary that former PC Thrumble had a case to answer for gross misconduct in October 2023 and the force arranged a hearing.

That took place on 10 April and concluded he should be dismissed.

Mr Thrumble will be placed on the College of Policing's barred list so he cannot work as a police officer again.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary's deputy chief constable Sam de Reya said: "The use of discriminatory language is utterly at odds with the values the public are rightly entitled to expect from police.

She added: "We want to see our people flourishing in a respectful working environment where everyone feels valued."