Police WhatsApp Scandal: 22 East Area Officers Face Action Over Alleged Racist Messages About White People and Offensive Comments About Abuse Victims
Twenty-two police officers attached to the Metropolitan Police’s East Area Command have reportedly been served with disciplinary notices and placed on restricted duties following an investigation into messages shared in a WhatsApp group, according to an exclusive report by The Sun.
The investigation, described by the newspaper as the Met’s largest probe into a police WhatsApp group, reportedly involves around 40,000 messages seized by the force’s Directorate of Professional Standards.
The Sun reported on Thursday 12 November that the messages allegedly contain discriminatory and offensive comments, including remarks about white people, domestic abuse victims and vulnerable individuals. Some messages are also alleged to have celebrated the use of excessive force against prisoners.
According to the newspaper, 22 officers ranging from constable to inspector have so far received disciplinary notices and been placed on restricted duties. The investigation could potentially involve up to 30 officers.
The inquiry is understood to have expanded following an incident in which a sexist remark was reportedly sent to a female colleague. The Sun also reported that the officer alleged to have sent the remark denies intending to cause offence or being racist.
The Metropolitan Police, in comments reported by The Sun, said the messages were said to include unprofessional and insensitive language, potential data breaches and breaches of confidentiality.
The force also reportedly said there was currently no indication that the conduct under investigation met the criminal threshold.
Chief Superintendent Dan Card, who leads policing in East London, was also quoted in the report, saying:
“No one in this organisation can be in any doubt as to the standards we’ve set.”
The investigation raises further questions about professional standards and conduct within the Metropolitan Police, particularly around the use of private messaging groups by serving officers.
However, the allegations remain under investigation. Being served with a disciplinary notice does not mean an officer has been found to have committed misconduct, and no conclusions should be drawn about individual officers before the process has been completed.
The Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards is responsible for investigating allegations of misconduct within the force.
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