Six members of Hampshire Police unit could face sack over 'abhorrent' comments

Six police officers could face the sack after being found to have committed gross misconduct when they were recorded making "abhorrent'' and inappropriate comments in a "toxic'' specialist police unit.

The members of Hampshire police's Serious Organised Crime Unit (Socu) office in Basingstoke, Hampshire, were recorded by a bugging device making "abhorrent'' racist, sexist, homophobic and other inappropriate comments.

Retired detective inspector Tim Ireson, detective sergeant Oliver Lage, detective sergeant Gregory Willcox, former Pc Craig Bannerman, trainee detective constable Andrew Ferguson and Pc James Oldfield were all found to have breached professional standards.

Mr Ireson and Det Sgt Willcox were also accused at the tribunal of failing to fulfil their supervisory roles to stop or report the inappropriate behaviour.

The tribunal panel will consider what sanctions to place on the officers when it reconvenes on January 4.

Jason Beer QC, presenting the case against the officers, said that following an anonymous complaint, covert recording devices were placed in the unit's offices between March 9 and April 2, 2018.

Mr Beer said: "This was a specialist police unit that enjoyed relative isolation from the rest of the force due to the sensitive and sometimes covert nature of the work that it undertook.

"That isolation and a lack of leadership by Mr Ireson and Det Sgt Willcox appears to have led to a toxic, abhorrent culture developing in the unit amongst some officers.

"(This) is inconsistent with the values and standards of the police service in the 21st century and inconsistent with continued service in the police service.''

He added: "It was a unit that was plain nasty that displayed attitudes towards groups and communities that police officers are called upon to protect.''

Amongst the conversations recorded were comments that the only black officer in the unit had arrived from Africa in a crate.

And "explicit and highly offensive'' fake pornographic images of the royal family were also posted on a work Whatsapp group.

A Hampshire police spokesman said: "An internal investigation was launched in 2018 following an anonymous report through the force's confidential reporting system.

"In response to concerns raised, a decision was made to conduct covert monitoring within the SOCU North office at the Northern Police Investigation Centre. During the three week period, comments of a discriminatory nature were recorded.

"The panel has spent a number of weeks listening to the evidence, and the submissions from the officers to explain their behaviours, before reaching their findings, which have been delivered cumulatively. We will receive a full breakdown of the decisions in due course.

"The conduct related to discriminatory comments captured during a covert recording of the Socu North office in 2018. Such comments were neither challenged nor reported.''

Michael Lane, Hampshire's Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “The Independent Panel have today outlined their findings following the misconduct hearings of six Hampshire Constabulary officers. I respect the independent scrutiny they have applied to these hearings.

“It is always a cause for concern when Police Officers face misconduct hearings since as Officers they have been given particular powers that demand, in return, each and every Officer holds themself to the highest standards of ethical behaviour. The rulings of the Independent Panel have indicated that this has not been the case in relation to all six of the officers in Hampshire Constabulary and I take, and have always taken, this matter very seriously.

“When the allegations first came to light I told the Chief Constable that I wanted her to urgently shine a light into every corner of the organisation. I was clear this should be done transparently and due and thorough process be followed.

“When the final conclusion and sanctions are delivered, on behalf of all our communities, those same communities that our Constabulary has the duty to serve, I will continue to expect that every officer adheres to the strictest ethical codes, professional standards and behaviours.

“I will be expecting a focus on the highest of standards and for appropriate actions to continue to be taken by the Chief Constable to ensure this.”