Officer dismissed for gross misconduct over offensive WhatsApp messages

A misconduct hearing found that PC Mark Philpotts had breached the standards of professional behaviour after sending discriminatory and offensive messages and failing to challenge the behaviour of others.

His serving colleagues, Sergeant Kennie Wilson and PC Kate Trent, were found guilty of misconduct at the same hearing and were handed final written warnings to remain on their files for two years and four years respectively.

The panel heard that Sgt Wilson, who was a police constable when the messages were sent in 2020, did not directly send any derogatory messages and questioned the conduct of others on the group before leaving it. However, he did not raise the concerns anywhere else as he should have done.

Former PCs Matthew Williamson and Daniel Moore, as well as former Acting Special Sergeant Timothy Borrill, previously admitted gross misconduct outside of the hearing in relation to the matter. The panel ruled that they would all have been dismissed without notice had they still been serving.

The panel found that some of the messages sent on the WhatsApp group were discriminatory, offensive and inappropriate towards the travelling community, individuals with disabilities and were racist.

In addition, the panel heard how former PC Williamson had posed for a photo with a sex toy at a vulnerable person’s home. This image was later requested by former PC Moore to be posted into the group.

On another occasion, former Acting Special Sgt Borrill asked for information in relation to an ongoing incident involving a person he knew to be shared with him without a proper policing purpose.

The messages shared on the WhatsApp group came to light in 2022. The force referred the case to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) in July 2022 and an independent investigation commenced. This concluded in November 2023 and it was found that the former and serving officers did have a case to answer for gross misconduct.

All officers who were dismissed or would have been dismissed if they had still been serving will now be placed on the policing barred list.

Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Farrell said: “I was very disappointed to hear about this behaviour involving a group of officers, who are expected to demonstrate high standards and the varying outcomes of the panel reflects the seriousness of this.

“While these unacceptable messages were sent over four years ago, we remain resolute in continuing with our ongoing work to ensure we have a culture within the organisation where any conduct, which is contrary to the Equality Act, the Code of Ethics and the Professional Standards of Behaviour, will not be tolerated and will result in serious consequences.

“We know the vast majority of employees within the organisation are professional and do not demonstrate conduct that has been heard in this hearing. Unfortunately, these officers did not meet these high standards, which has potential to impact negatively on public confidence and damages the reputation of the Force.

“We are committed to investigating any unethical or unacceptable behaviour relating to a member of our organisation and I would encourage members of the public to report any concerns to the force so they can be thoroughly investigated.”