Met Police officers investigated over 'racist and homophobic' messages

9 September 2019, 21:14

Five Met police officers will face a disciplinary hearing after a phone containing racist, misogynistic and homophobic messages was found during an unrelated investigation by Surrey police.

The hearing relates to "offensive and discriminatory" messages sent between 2009 and 2011.

There were also suggestions that an officer may have tried to establish a relationship with a vulnerable victim of crime they had met whilst on duty.

The phone was recovered as part of a search of a suspect's home by Surrey Police.

An Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOCP) investigation found that the messages needed to be investigated further.

IOPC regional director Sal Naseem said: "Our investigation found evidence officers may have breached professional standards by sending inappropriate and offensive messages, calling into question their ability to impartially and properly discharge their duties."

"This type of behaviour has the potential to undermine the public's confidence and trust in policing.

"We also found evidence that videos had been recorded of interactions between members of the public and police that may have been taken without any consent and for no proper policing purpose."

"I am also deeply concerned that one officer may have pursued an inappropriate relationship with a victim of crime."