Racist Leicestershire Police officer faces dismissal

A Leicestershire Police officer faces dismissal after he was allegedly filmed using “particularly unpleasant” racist language while off duty.

The officer, who is a volunteer Special Constable, is also accused of trying to have the mobile phone footage deleted when he learned it had been sent to his senior officers.

The officer, whose name has not been released, is to appear before a misconduct panel chaired by Chief Constable Simon Cole on Thursday, December 22.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) released details of the case today.

It said Leicestershire Police had contacted it in April this year after the force received two mobile phone clips and a complaint about the officer.

Both organisations agreed the officer had a case to answer for gross misconduct.

Mr Cole will conduct the hearing at force headquarters, Enderby.

As well as facing questions about his language in the clips, the officer will face an allegation that he breached standards of honesty and integrity by allegedly trying to have the footage deleted.

IPCC commissioner Derrick Campbell said: “The language used in these videos was particularly unpleasant and distasteful.

“I am pleased that Leicestershire Police has accepted our investigation’s conclusions that this officer has a case to answer for gross misconduct, not only in respect of the racially offensive content of the recordings, but the efforts allegedly made to get them destroyed after the matter had been reported.

“The public has a right to expect police officers, including those serving on a voluntary basis, to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and behaviour.

“It is only right that they are held to account when there is an indication that those standards have been seriously breached.”

The hearing will not be open to the press and public, despite Home Office instructions to forces across England and Wales to ensure transparency in how forces handle disciplinary cases.

A number of Leicestershire officers have been sacked following misconduct hearings since forces began holding the sessions in public a year ago.

They include a constable who was convicted of a sex offence when he was a teenager and another who was convicted of an offence of burglary while he was on duty.

However, hearings can be held behind closed doors in some circumstances.

In this case, it is understood to be because of ongoing criminal proceedings.

The Leicester Mercury has asked Leicestershire Police for a response.

 

Source: http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/police-officer-filmed-using-racist-language-faces-misconduct-hearing/story-29983687-detail/story.html