Shoreham air crash 'selfie' police 'could be dismissed'

Eleven people died in the crash on the A27 in Shoreham last month

Two police officers who filmed themselves near the Shoreham air crash site could be dismissed.

Sussex Police Deputy Chief Constable Olivia Pinkney said the pair would face disciplinary proceedings over the video, which was sent on social media, and a private message.

The constables made the video while working near the scene where 11 people died after a jet crashed on to the A27.

Ms Pinkney said they had behaved in a "wholly disrespectful way".

There was sufficient evidence the officers were not likely to become "well-conducted" PCs, she said.

'Deliberate choice'

Ms Pinkney said the force did not punish people for making honest mistakes, but added: "In this case, I don't believe this behaviour was an honest mistake.

"Instead, it was a deliberate choice to behave in a wholly disrespectful way."

Last week, when Ms Pinkney revealed the officers had filmed themselves near the scene, she said the video was made on the cordon and did not show details of the site, but was accompanied by an inappropriate and offensive message.

Under Regulation 13, which relates to new officers in probationary periods, the pair will meet a chief officer who will make a recommendation about their future after reviewing evidence against them.

"A possible outcome is that the chief constable may decide that the officers leave the force," Ms Pinkey said.

Ms Pinkney said she apologised again to the victims' families for the unnecessary distress they had been undoubtedly caused.

The victims:

(Top row, left to right) Matt Jones, Matthew Grimstone, Jacob Schilt, Maurice Abrahams, Richard Smith. (Bottom row, left to right) Mark Reeves, Tony Brightwell, Mark Trussler, Daniele Polito, Dylan Archer, Graham Mallinson

• Matt Jones, a 24-year-old personal trainer

• Matthew Grimstone, 23, a Worthing United footballer who worked as a groundsman at Brighton & Hove Albion

• Jacob Schilt, also 23 and also a Worthing United player, was travelling to a match with Mr Grimstone

• Maurice Abrahams, 76, from Brighton, was a chauffeur on his way to pick up a bride on her wedding day

• Friends Richard Smith, 26, and Dylan Archer, 42, who were going for a bike ride on the South Downs

• Mark Reeves, 53, had ridden his motorcycle to the perimeter of Shoreham Airport to take photos of the planes

• Tony Brightwell, 53, from Hove was an aircraft enthusiast and had learnt to fly at Shoreham airfield

• Mark Trussler, 54, is thought to have been riding his motorcycle on the A27

• Daniele Polito was travelling in the same car as Mr Jones

• Graham Mallinson, 72, from Newick, was a keen photographer and retired engineer