Police officers dismissed following offensive WhatsApp group messages

A WhatsApp group characterized by “routine misogyny” and “casual racism” has led to the dismissal of five active police officers, with three former colleagues being informed they would also have faced dismissal. These officers, based in West Yorkshire, were terminated from their positions after a finding of gross misconduct related to “derogatory, offensive and discriminatory” messages shared within the group. Evidence presented at a misconduct hearing indicated that the individuals also circulated images depicting “death scenes”, vehicle collisions, missing persons, and detainees. The disciplinary panel issued dismissals for the serving officers: Sgt Mark Otter, PC Dominique Hawkins, PC Javaid Habeeb, PC Luke Riddett, and an officer identified solely as PC X. The panel determined that three additional former constables—Tom Harrison, Matthew Harrison, and Lee Hillyard—would have also been subject to dismissal had they not previously resigned. All eight individuals had denied the allegations of gross misconduct, which occurred between July 2020 and September 2021. During the hearing, it was stated that the group, utilized by certain officers stationed in Pudsey, was marked by “mean-spirited and bullying remarks about colleagues and members of the public.” Barrister Olivia Checa-Dover, when outlining the case against the officers at the commencement of the hearing in October, provided the panel with several instances from the WhatsApp conversation. She stated that PC X posted: “Miss A on a bridge … jump, jump, jump” during a discussion concerning a member of the public identified as Miss A. Furthermore, she mentioned that PC Habeeb made a joke regarding a colleague’s suicide. Ms Checa-Dover reported that PC Riddett shared an image of an Asian detainee with a beard, accompanied by the caption “if you had to draw a terrorist,” prompting PC Tom Harrison to respond with “racist.” Representing the policing authority, Ms Checa-Dover indicated that derogatory messages were exchanged concerning photographs of an officer, referred to as PC A, and his sister. The barrister posed a question to the panel: “Was this a safe place for colleagues to seek support from their peers and provide support, or was it a platform used to communicate mean-spirited, bullying remarks about colleagues deemed not part of the group?” She further stated that during a discussion regarding a “vulnerability appointment” with a member of the public, PC Riddett remarked “probably asking for it anyway,” a statement the barrister characterized to the panel as “an inappropriate, victim-blaming comment.” Ms Checa-Dover also noted that Sgt Otter made derogatory and offensive comments of a sexual nature about two individuals during a conversation about “naked Uno.” She reported that PC Riddett wrote in the chat: “It’s not harassment if they say yes. Remember lads, 50 nos and one yes is still a yes.” Ms Checa-Dover stated that while the officers did not dispute their participation in the WhatsApp group, they contended that it “was an expression of dark humour, a vehicle through which they would process traumatic experiences, a forum in which to express themselves freely, seek support from their colleagues and provide support to others.” Det Ch Supt Tanya Wilkins, who serves as the Head of West Yorkshire Police’s Professional Standards Directorate, commented: “This misconduct hearing looked not only at the actions of this group but also their inaction. “The lack of challenge and complicity of a supervisor being involved in these conversations has allowed a culture of routine misogyny, casual racism and bullying to develop within this team.”” Emily Barry, regional director for the Independent Office for Police Conduct, stated: “The disgraceful behaviour and attitudes we found in these messages are totally unacceptable and have no place in policing. Our investigation has ensured those responsible have received serious sanctions – and that the worst offenders will never again wear the uniform.”