‘We are determined to rid this organisation of those who corrupt its integrity’-Met Police keeps its word and roots out rotten officers.

The Metropolitan Police has vowed to root out all officers that do not meet the professional standards expected of our officers in London and yesterday took big steps forward by openly condemning two officers.

Both officers, one serving and one former were found guilty of communication offences after sending disgusting and extremely offensive messages.

It is officers like these that have given the Met police bad headlines and have brought the force into disrepute -when the majority of our officers actually do a fantastic job on our streets and also want to see these officers rooted out.

The Met has indeed promised its communities that it will rid itself of officers that clearly do not have any place in our police and is keeping to its word. Something the public who do support the Met, will be pleased to see.

Both officers were found guilty yesterday (Wednesday, 21 September) and will be sentenced in November at Westminster Magistrates court.

Commander Jon Savell, from Professionalism, said: “The behaviour of these officers is despicable and I condemn them for sending such grossly offensive and repulsive messages. It is staggering that they regard this language as defensible. 

“We expect our officers to have the highest standards of conduct. We are determined to rid this organisation of those who corrupt its integrity, and are increasing our efforts to do that more quickly. As a result, we may well see more cases emerging, as we leave no stone unturned in tackling offensive behaviour. 

“I am deeply sorry these officers have let down the public, and their Met colleagues.” 

PC Jonathon Cobban, 35, attached to the West Area Command Unit, was found guilty of three counts of sending grossly offensive messages on a public communications network contrary to S127 of the Communications Act 2003.

Former PC Joel Borders, 45, previously attached to West Area Command Unit, was found guilty of five counts of sending grossly offensive messages on a public communications network contrary to S127 of the Communications Act 2003.

They had been charged with sending the messages in 2019 following an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). 

Now that criminal proceedings have concluded, the MPS will progress internal misconduct proceedings without delay.

Following discussions with the IOPC and Crown Prosecution Service, misconduct hearings were not heard before criminal proceedings had concluded in order to preserve the integrity of the criminal case. 

As Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has outlined, work is ongoing to improve standards, and build trust and confidence in the Met once more. As part of this, there are plans to recruit more than 100 officers to the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards. 

We engaged with the IOPC throughout their investigation and thank them and the Crown Prosecution Service for their parts in bringing these officers to justice. 

Cobban was found not guilty of two counts of sending grossly offensive messages on a public communications network contrary to S127 of the Communications Act 2003.

Cobban and Borders will be sentenced on Wednesday, 2 November at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.

PC William Neville, 34, attached to the South West Command Unit, was found not guilty of two counts of sending grossly offensive messages on a public communications network contrary to S127 of the Communications Act 2003.