A rookie Merseyside Police officer resigned in disgrace after accidentally sending a bizarre video showing his "penis in a brace" and an "item" inserted into his bottom to a WhatsApp group of 18 colleagues.
The probationary constable, Daniel Brown, was supposed to be taking part in an online Zoom training session held by Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU), but instead filmed himself performing sexual acts. The video was seen by two fellow officers including one woman, who were reportedly "caused distress".
Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy held an accelerated misconduct hearing and concluded Brown was guilty of gross misconduct and, had he not already quit the force, would have been sacked without notice. Brown's name has also been added to the College of Policing's Barred List, meaning he is banned from any policing role in the country.
READ MORE: Kidnap, acid attacks and the downfall of the brutal 'Deli Mob' class of 2011
According to a report of the hearing, published by Merseyside Police, the incident occurred at around 10am on September 28 last year when Brown was on duty, although at home taking part in the online training session. The report states: "Also present on the session were other officers from your Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) intake. During the session you posted a video to your intake WhatsApp group. This group comprises 18 officers including yourself.
"The video was of you naked from the waist down, with your genitalia exposed, your penis in a brace [and you are showing your bottom] with an item inserted into it. This video was seen by at least two members of your cohort causing at least one member distress".
The PCDA course is a three-year programme where officers learn on the job while completing a degree in Professional Policing Practice from LJMU.
Chief Constable Kennedy said she accepted that the video was sent accidentally, but that Brown had still admitted engaging in sexual behaviour while on duty. She wrote: "Our communities expect us to maintain the highest standards of professional behaviour and whilst he was at home at the time, he was still on duty and attending a training lesson. The expectation would be that he would be fully participating in the training as he was learning the role of how to be a police officer."
Chief Superintendent Jennifer Wilson, head of the force’s Professional Standards Department, told the ECHO: "We demand the highest possible standards from officers and staff, whether they are on duty or off duty. On this occasion, former Constable Brown did not meet those standards, and it is right that he has had to answer for his behaviour.
"In filming and sending this video while his focus should have been on the training being provided, he clearly did not uphold the values of Merseyside Police. All of our officers recognise the unique position we hold in maintaining law and order, and that to keep the trust and confidence of our communities we must uphold the highest standards of behaviour ourselves at all times.
"When information is received alleging misconduct by one of our officers or members, our dedicated Professional Standards Department will always carry out a thorough investigation to ensure the public across Merseyside can continue to have confidence in the Police Service.
"The overwhelming majority of our police officers and staff act with respect, professionalism and integrity at all times. In order to keep it that way, we will continue to take swift and robust action to investigate anyone whose behaviour falls short of those high standards.
"This matter was brought quickly to the attention of our Professional Standards Department by the officer’s colleagues, and it is pleasing to see that where officers and staff see or hear behaviour they believe does not belong in this force, they feel empowered to challenge and report it. As a result of their report, the officer was suspended and has now, quite rightly, been dismissed from our force."
