A police officer who admitted to “tragedy chanting” at a Liverpool football match has been sacked and barred from policing, Essex Police said.
Sergeant Tyler Coppin, of Essex Police, previously pleaded guilty to the public order offence towards Liverpool fans at a Premier League match at Anfield against Chelsea last October 20.
According to the Crown Prosecution Service, tragedy chanting is when fans sing, chant or gesture offensive messages about disasters or accidents involving players or fans.
If officers are responsible for upholding the law, it cannot be right that they break it
Coppin was given a three-year football banning order and ordered to pay £645 in fines and costs in December, Merseyside Police said.
Essex Police then instigated misconduct proceedings against Coppin because of his conviction.
A misconduct panel chaired by Essex Police Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington, held on Friday, found Coppin had breached standards of professional behaviour in relation to honesty and integrity, authority, respect and courtesy and discreditable conduct.
Mr Harrington acknowledged both Coppin’s remorse and a previously unblemished career in policing but found he would be dismissed from the force without notice and will be placed on the College of Policing barred list.
The Chief Constable said: “Ex-Sgt Coppin’s dismissal is the result of a moment’s serious stupidity, but this is the only appropriate outcome.
“It is clear that ex-Sgt Coppin was remorseful and may not have been aware of the impact of his words, but he has been criminally convicted of a public order offence.
“His actions will seriously undermine public trust and confidence and I must send a clear message to officers, staff and the wider public that behaviour such as this cannot and will not be tolerated in policing.
“If officers are responsible for upholding the law, it cannot be right that they break it.”
