His resignation comes following the revelation of offensive WhatsApp messages exchanged among officers from his force, including derogatory and inappropriate content of a racist, misogynistic, and homophobic nature.
These messages came to light as part of an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct(IOPC) having been initiated in November 2022 following a referral from Gwent Police.
The investigation focused on the conduct of seven serving and four former officers, uncovering exchanges on the phone of deceased former officer Ricky Jones, who had served with Gwent Police for 26 years.
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Among the disturbing content discovered was a message between Jones and other officers containing a picture of Grenfell Tower alongside the quote “The Great Muslim Bake-Off.”
Such messages not only revealed deeply concerning attitudes but also highlighted issues of systemic discrimination within the force.
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The IOPC’s probe concluded last October, resulting in three serving officers and one former officer facing gross misconduct proceedings for their involvement in exchanging these offensive messages. Misconduct was proven for three serving officers, leading to written warnings, while another officer will engage in reflective practice.
Mr. Cuthbert’s decision to step down as Police and Crime Commissioner against the backdrop of these events highlights the challenges faced in ensuring accountability and fostering trust within the force and the community.
His departure marks a significant moment for Gwent, prompting reflection on the need for strong leadership to address issues of discrimination, accountability, and integrity within law enforcement.
In his resignation speech, Cuthbert made no reference to the racist and homophobic misconduct hearings to take place following offensive Whatsapp messages of officers in his force.
Rather, he said ”it has been a great honour and a privilege to serve the people of Gwent as their elected Police and Crime Commissioner for the last eight years”, adding that he would be sad to leave the job he enjoyed.
He added that throughout his tenure as Commissioner, his responsibility has been to ensure that Gwent has an efficient and effective policing service.
The expectation is that the incoming commissioner will prioritize restoring public confidence, strengthening accountability mechanisms, and promoting a culture of inclusivity and respect within the Gwent Police force.
The task ahead for the new commissioner will be daunting, given the importance of addressing the fallout from the forthcoming misconduct proceedings while continuing efforts to enhance community-police relations and ensure effective policing services for the people of Gwent.
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