Former Brighton-based British Transport Police officers would've been dismissed over offensive messages
A misconduct hearing found their WhatsApp messages mocked vulnerable people and colleague
Two former British Transport Police officers based in Brighton have been found guilty of gross misconduct for sharing offensive and inappropriate messages in a WhatsApp group chat.
A hearing was triggered after British Transport Police (BTP) voluntarily referred the case to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). It found that Police Sergeant Trevor Waller, who was based in Brighton, and another officer, who has been granted anonymity, would have been dismissed had they still been serving.
An investigation by the IOPC revealed that the messages, shared between April and August 2023, included derogatory and offensive comments about vulnerable people, including those experiencing mental health crises and even a 15-year-old.
Both former officers also made negative remarks about colleagues, which the hearing panel deemed to amount to bullying. Their actions were found to have breached the required standards of professional behaviour for police officers.
Other officers dismissed earlier
Two other members of the same WhatsApp group chat, PC Le Cappelain and former PC Hunter, had already been dismissed from the force earlier this year by the Chief Constable during an Accelerated Misconduct Hearing.
Detective Superintendent Brett Walker, Head of BTP’s Professional Standards Department, described the misconduct as a serious breach of public trust.
“The foul messages exchanged by these two former officers showed they had no respect for the public they’re supposed to serve, or indeed their colleagues.”
“We expect our officers to uphold the highest standards of conduct and behaviour.”
“These two fell far short of those expectations with their decision to send offensive malicious, disgraceful messages.”
“It is only right that they would have been dismissed from the force had they still been serving. There is simply no place in policing for individuals like these.”
The hearing was led by an independent Chair.