Met cop who made misogynistic comments in group chat given final warning
By Robert Firth, Local Democracy Reporter
A Met police cop who made misogynistic comments in a WhatsApp chat containing other Met employees has been given a final written warning.
PC Rafi Lindill made the offensive marks in a group he was in with other officers between December 2021 and May 2022.
PC James Humphrey and PC Craig Hawkins, who were also in the chat, were given written warnings for failing to challenge or report offensive comments made in the WhatsApp conversation.
A police misconduct hearing on Thursday handed PC Lindill a final written warning lasting two years, PC Humphrey’s and PC Hawkins’s warnings will be on their record for 18 months.
Commander Katie Lilburn, chair of the misconduct panel, said she hoped the officers would take a ‘salutary lesson on the dangers of WhatsApp groups’ and use of offensive language from the disciplinary hearing.
Cdr Lilburn, who leads the Met’s body responsible for upholding professional standards, added: “I hope you all go on to have a long career and share your learning and experience to deter others from making the same mistakes as you have.”
The officers from AS Central South Command Unit, which covers Lambeth and Southwark, hugged and received pats on the back after the conclusion of the hearing at Palestra House, South London.
The misconduct panel found that PC Lindill’s remarks in the group were ‘intentional’ and ‘deliberate’. The panel noted that misogyny was an issue of ‘local and national concern’.
But Cdr Lilburn also took into account positive comments about PC Lindill from other Met staff, including one colleague who on an occasion witnessed him challenge another person who used the word ‘c***’.
Cdr Lilburn added: “the panel determined in all of these circumstances a final written warning was the most appropriate outcome.”
PC Humphrey received over 30 positive character references. The panel said colleagues praised his ‘calm composure’, ‘high uniform standards’, ‘diligence to go above and beyond’ and ability to ‘connect with people from all walks of life.’
Cdr Lilburn said colleagues of PC Hawkins had commented on his ‘professionalism’ when dealing with a grieving family, his ‘empathy’ connecting with victims of crime and noted his role as a ‘driving force’ behind the Movember campaign, highlighting men’s health issues.
Pictured top: Scotland Yard (Picture: The Met)
