Discriminatory messages sent privately by officers - Leicestershire Police, July 2015

On 1 July 2015 we received a mandatory conduct referral from Leicestershire Police. While examining the personal mobile phone of an officer as part of a criminal investigation, the force discovered the existence of a group on the WhatsApp communication network.

A total of 3,181 messages were exchanged by a total of 17 Leicestershire Police officers, all of them police constables, between 4 April 2013 and 15 January 2014. Out of these, around 100 messages could be considered to be discriminatory in nature, and involved eight officers.

We interviewed the eight officers under the misconduct caution. We undertook a review of all messages and made a judgement on whether comments were inappropriate, i.e. whether they made reference to any protected characteristics defined within the Equalities Act 2010. We found that the content of a large number of conversations was deemed offensive and derogatory, and included terms that were discriminatory and sexual in nature.

At the end of the investigation, based on the evidence available, the Lead Investigator was of the opinion that a reasonable tribunal could find that all eight officers had a case to answer for gross misconduct.

After reviewing our report, Leicestershire Police agreed with our findings and held gross misconduct hearing for the officers. At the hearing, gross misconduct was found for four officers, who were dismissed without notice. Misconduct was found for another four officers; they were given final written warnings.