Racist and sexist posts shared on Dorset Police officers' WhatsApp

Sexist, pornographic, misogynistic, homophobic and racist messages were shared on WhatsApp, the hearing was told

Police officers who shared derogatory messages have been found guilty of gross misconduct.

Two serving officers and a former officer at Dorset Police shared the inappropriate and offensive messages on a WhatsApp group in 2020.

Two other serving officers admitted a lesser charge of misconduct and will be sanctioned at a later date.

Dorset Police apologised, saying the public had been let down by the officers' behaviour.

A public misconduct hearing was told allegations of bullying and discriminatory behaviour were made in July and August 2022 about officers who were serving with the Force Support Group in Bournemouth.

Dorset Police said a panel found Paul Perdrisat was a "major contributor" of the offensive messages and images that were found to be racist, misogynistic, homophobic and offensive.

The panel said PC Jordan-Gill posted "inappropriate and offensive messages on the WhatsApp group" and did not leave even though he was most likely aware of other offensive content being posted.

Following the hearing at Dorset Police headquarters at Winfrith, the panel said PC Jordan-Gill, Insp Nicholas Mantle and former officer Perdrisat, who were found guilty of gross misconduct, had breached the standards of professional behaviour.

The force said serving officers PC Michael Lowther and PC Matthew Young, who had admitted misconduct, had also breached the standards of professional behaviour. PC Lowther was handed a written warning and PC Young was issued with a final written warning.

Deputy Chief Constable Sam de Reya, the force's lead officer for professional standards, said: "The public quite rightly expect the highest standards of behaviour from serving police officers and staff as this is a core component of maintaining the trust of our communities.

"I am sorry that the behaviour of these officers let you down."

Correction 7 November 2023: This article was amended to clarify the nature of the officers' participation in the group.