Discriminatory Facebook posts - Metropolitan Police Service, August 2016

We investigated a number of Facebook posts on the account of a serving Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) officer to establish whether the posts were racist, inappropriate or offensive in nature and whether their content and comments discredited the police force or undermined public confidence.

We interviewed the police officer under misconduct caution. After the officer alleged that they had never seen the posts and that they could have been posted by their partner or a relative, we also interviewed the officer’s partner.

Based on the evidence available, the Lead Investigator was of the opinion that a reasonable tribunal, properly directed, could find the charge proved for gross misconduct for the officer.

After reviewing our report, the MPS agreed with our findings and held misconduct proceedings.

A gross misconduct hearing was held at which the panel found no case to answer against the officer.