Shocking messages, including some referring to rape, were exchanged between police officers who claimed it was ‘banter’, a watchdog has found.
Officers from the Metropolitan Police exchanged highly offensive racist, sexist and homophobic messages in WhatsApp and Facebook chats.
One message stated: “I would happily rape you” while another read “if I was single I would happily chloroform you”.
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Details of the messages were detailed in a shocking report from the Independent Office for Police Conduct into now-disbanded Metropolitan Police teams.
Homophobic language was also used, including one entry that said “f*** you bender”, and a number of racist messages including references to African children, Somali people and Auschwitz that are too offensive to print.
The watchdog found that claims the content discovered was “banter” became a cover for bullying and harassment.
The messages were uncovered as part of nine linked investigations into officers based in Westminster - mostly at Charing Cross police station - that began in March 2018 after allegations that an officer had sex with a drunk person at a police station.
IOPC regional director, Sal Naseem, described the behaviour uncovered as ‘disgraceful’ and falling ‘well below’ the standards expected of the officers involved.
“While these officers predominantly worked in teams in Westminster, which have since been disbanded, we know from other recent cases that these issues are not isolated or historic,” he said.
“The learning report we are publishing today is shocking and contains language which is offensive – and some may find it upsetting. However, we felt it was important to provide the context for the public, the Met and other forces, for why such hard-hitting recommendations are necessary.”
While the IOPC acknowledged the work that the Met has done since to improve, Mr Naseem said more needs to be done.
He said: “Our investigation showed the officers’ use of ‘banter’ became a cover for bullying and harassment. Colleagues were afraid to speak out about these behaviours for fear of being ostracised, demeaned or told to get another job.
“We are grateful to those officers who were brave enough to speak to us about the cultural issues that existed within these teams, realising that in doing so they risked further bullying. This took courage. Hopefully our learning report and recommendations will give officers the confidence to come forward in the knowledge that people are listening and that changes will be made.
“The relationship between the police and the public is critical to maintaining the principle of policing by consent. The concerns about behaviour and culture addressed in our report, if allowed to continue and go unchallenged, risked causing serious damage to that relationship.”
Fourteen officers were investigated by the IOPC, and two were found to have a case to answer for gross misconduct – one of whom resigned and one was sacked.
Misconduct was proven against another two, one of whom received a written warning, while another four had internal measures to improve their performance.
Deputy assistant commissioner Bas Javid said: “I am angry and disappointed to see officers involved in sharing sexist, racist and discriminatory messages. It’s clear we have a lot of work to do to ensure bullying and discrimination does not exist in any part of the Met.
“The actions of these officers between 2016 and 2018 were unacceptable, unprofessional, disrespectful and deeply offensive. I read their messages with increasing disgust and shame.
“We haven’t waited for the IOPC’s report to take action – a number of officers have been subject to misconduct proceedings, including one officer dismissed and one who would have been dismissed had he not already resigned. Every Met employee has also been spoken to about responsible use of social media.
“We recognise that there is need for real change in the Met and we are committed to creating an environment that is even more intolerant to those who do not uphold the high values and standards expected of us.”
A review of culture and standards in the Met is currently being carried out by Baroness Casey, in the wake of the murder of Sarah Everard by a serving police officer.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: “I am utterly disgusted by the behaviour outlined in this IOPC report, which details the shocking evidence of discrimination, misogyny, harassment and bullying by police officers. The conduct of these officers was totally unacceptable and what has been revealed by these investigations will only further damage public trust and confidence in the police.
“It is right that the team concerned has been disbanded and the police officers found to be involved have been dismissed, disciplined or have left the police. Anyone found to be responsible for sexism, racism, misogyny, Islamophobia, antisemitism, bullying or harassment does not deserve to wear the Met uniform and must be rooted out.”
