Two Bexley cops sacked for ‘deeply offensive’ WhatsApp messages
Two cops were sacked by the Met today following an investigation that found they had sent “highly offensive and discriminatory” WhatsApp messages.
PC Glynn Rees and PC Dave Selway were both dismissed without notice for sharing the offensive messages in a group called “Secret Squirrel S***”, which made fun of celebrity Katie price’s son Harvey, who suffers from Prader–Willi syndrome and autism.
A gross misconduct hearing today found that another five Bexley cops in the WhatsApp group would also have been dismissed without notice had they still been serving
Eight officers in total had allegations of gross misconduct proven against them for taking part in the WhatsApp group which contained sexist, racist, homophobic, transphobic and disablist comments between May 2016 and June 2018.
More than 6,000 messages had been sent in the two years.
Former Sergeant Luke Allen, former Sergeant Luke Thomas former PC Kelsey Buchan, former PC Lee South, former PC Darren Jenner and former PC Carlo Francisco were found to have breached police standards and would have been dismissed had they still been serving officers.
All the officers were attached to Bexley Neighbourhood Tasking Team at the time the group was set up, apart from former PC Francisco who was attached to the East Area Safer Neighbourhood Team.
An investigation into the WhatsApp messages was launched in March 2021 as part of a separate investigation but the Met said it could not discuss further details as that matter is still ongoing.
The officers were served with misconduct notices in April 2021 and placed on restricted duties immediately afterwards. Five of them resigned before the hearing and one had already been dismissed for an unrelated matter.
The officers will now be barred for life from employment by the police, local policing bodies (PCCs), the Independent Office for Police Conduct or His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services.
Met commander Jon Savell said: “I was repulsed and ashamed to read the deeply offensive messages sent by these officers and I utterly condemn their behaviour. I am deeply sorry to those who have been the subject of such awful disgusting messages.
“This is another painful day for us. We know there are more uncomfortable days to come as we turn over the stones and uncover others who corrupt our integrity.”
(Picture: The Met)
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