By Lucy Caulkett-
Two serving and one former Gwent Police officers are set to face gross misconduct proceedings following an investigation into the sharing of offensive WhatsApp messages which were racist, misogynistic and homophobic.
The probe, initiated by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) in response to the discovery of “derogatory” messages on the phone of now disgraced former officer Ricky Jones,(pictured) who tragically took his own life in 2020, reveals the seriousness of the issue and renewed calls for accountability within law enforcement.
The distressing messages, uncovered by Mr. Jones’ family, have cast a shadow over the conduct of several officers, prompting an extensive inquiry into the matter.
The IOPC’s investigation, spanning from November 2022 to October 2023, scrutinized the actions of seven serving and four former officers, culminating in findings of gross misconduct against two serving constables and one former constable.
The messages in question have reignited concerns about systemic issues within police ranks, particularly regarding discriminatory behaviour and inappropriate conduct.
Moreover, the investigation revealed evidence suggesting a failure among certain officers to challenge or report such unacceptable messages sent by colleagues, further exacerbating the seriousness of the situation.
The IOPC’s findings have highlighted a disturbing pattern of misconduct within the force, with additional serving officers up to inspector rank facing allegations of misconduct.
While disciplinary actions, including written warnings and reflective practice sessions, have been implemented for some officers, others have resigned from the force amidst ongoing investigations, underscoring the urgency of addressing systemic issues .
Director David Ford of the IOPC emphasized the severity of the situation, stating: “The content of some of the messages we examined raised serious concerns about the conduct of those police officers involved.”
He clarified that while there was no evidence of a cover-up by Gwent Police, the investigation underscored the need for stringent measures to address inappropriate behaviour and uphold the integrity of the force.
Chief Constable Pam Kelly said, “When this matter was first reported to us in November 2022, I was shocked at the content of the WhatsApp messages and determined to ensure that this behaviour was dealt with robustly.”
She added, “Our communities and our staff deserve the highest of standards from our officers, and we continue to work hard to deal with those who do not meet our high expectations.
“The majority of officers serve our communities with pride, professionalism and integrity. It is what the public expect and what they deserve.
“We have been abundantly clear that we will not tolerate poor behaviour and this case should act as a stark warning of the consequences of inappropriate online behaviour.”
The implications of this case extend beyond the confines of Gwent Police, resonating with broader concerns about police conduct and accountability nationwide.
Against the backdrop of past incidents involving the dissemination of racist WhatsApp messages among police officers, the latest revelations confirm just how bad and widespread discrimination and racism is in the police force.
Commissioner of Police, Mark Rowley, early this year vowed to rid the force of its several corrupt officers, and can make an argument that progress is being made in this direction.
However, the growing number of cases involving racist and homophobic police officers continues to raise serious cause for concern.