Police officer dismissed for offensive messages in WhatsApp group
Hampshire PC Jack Thrumble was a Special with Dorset Police at the time
A Hampshire police officer has been dismissed for gross misconduct after sharing racist and offensive messages in WhatsApp group with colleagues.
PC Jack Thrumble was found to have used the discriminatory language during a conversation about a dating app.
It happened in 2022 when he was a special constable with Dorset Police.
The Dorset force referred the matter to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) who carried out an investigation.
Following that, in October 2023, the IOPC advised Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary that PC Thrumble had a case to answer for gross misconduct.
The force agreed and arranged the hearing.
A hearing, at Hampshire Police HQ, found the officer had breached standards of professional behaviour relating to authority, respect and courtesy, equality and diversity and discreditable conduct, handing out a sanction of dismissal.
IOPC Regional Director David Ford said:
“The messages PC Thrumble sent were offensive and racially discriminatory.
“Behaviour of this nature can seriously undermine public confidence in policing.
“The outcome of this hearing makes clear that the use of offensive language is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.”
Mr Thrumble has also be placed on the police barred list, preventing him from working as a police officer again.