Ex-police officer would have been dismissed for gross misconduct, hearing finds
Comments reflecting disrespect to women and minority groups were deemed incompatible with police standards
A former Northamptonshire police officer would have been dismissed without notice after a gross misconduct hearing concluded on 9th January.
The hearing, chaired by Chief Constable Ivan Balhatchet, reviewed allegations against the officer concerning his conduct in a private WhatsApp group called “P90 Test Successful” between 15th June 2020 and 26th December 2020.
It was alleged that the officer, as joint administrator of the group, used discriminatory, offensive, and derogatory language targeting both colleagues and members of the public. The officer also failed to challenge or report similar language and behaviour from other group members.
Chief Constable Balhatchet found the allegations to be proven and said the conduct breached established standards of Authority, Respect & Courtesy; Equality & Diversity; Discreditable Conduct; and Challenging & Reporting Improper Conduct.
The former officer resigned before the hearing and did not attend.
Chief Constable Balhatchet commented that “the group’s behaviour appears to reflect a version of toxic masculinity which is aggressive, boorish, and crude.” He highlighted the officer’s consistent use of racial, ableist, and derogatory language across months, in a group chat that he had set up.
Balhatchet further acknowledged the officer may be entitled to privacy in his personal life, but stressed that private actions impacting the perception and responsibilities of police officers must be judged accordingly.
The hearing concluded that had the officer still been serving, dismissal without notice would have been the recommended outcome.