An officer from the Metropolitan Police Service has been dismissed for making offensive comments about a fellow officer on Facebook, and harassing a female colleague with verbal abuse and threats.
Dismissed without notice, the 35 year old police constable posted comments on the social networking site that were described as “deeply offensive” to refer to another officer, who he labelled as a “grass” and a “liar”.
He also sent abusive text messages to a female colleague, as well as issuing threats and verbal abuse.
The two officers, who were briefly in a relationship, were followed on one occasion by a member of the public, who was concerned about the male officer’s behaviour. The officer, who had turned to smash a street bin, threatened the member of the public when confronted.
The Metropolitan Police Service’s Directorate of Professional Standards investigated both cases under the management of the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC). The officer was found guilty of discreditable conduct by the a Metropolitan Police Service gross misconduct hearing, but the Crown Prosecution Service decided there would be no criminal proceedings.
IPCC Commissioner Rachel Cerfontyne said she was “completely dismayed” by the “shocking things” the police officer had written on Facebook.
“He worked in a job that demanded trust and respect and yet acted in a way that resembled a nasty schoolyard bully.
“I am pleased that the Met’s misconduct panel clearly shared our view that this sort of person does not belong in the police service.”
