Officer dismissed over inappropriate WhatsApp messages
A serving Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) officer has been dismissed without notice after he shared offensive text messages with four other officers in a group chat.
A misconduct hearing found PC Dean Murphy, based on the North East Command Unit, had breached the standards of professional behaviour in respect of discreditable conduct, authority, respect and courtesy, and challenging and reporting improper conduct.
The panel concluded that two colleagues he shared the offensive messages with, former PC Rebecca King and former PC Kevin Odongo – both previously based in the same command – would also have been dismissed from the force without notice had they still been serving.
Between September 1, 2020, and September 16, 2021, the three officers sent and received inappropriate and/or offensive messages within a WhatsApp group chat. As well as sharing the messages, the officers were also dealt with for failing to challenge each other about the nature of the messages.
The messages came to light during an unrelated misconduct investigation into a now former officer. He and a second former officer were also identified as being part of the WhatsApp group.
PCs Murphy, King and Odongo were all placed on restricted duties once under investigation, and King and Odongo later resigned from the MPS.
Chief Superintendent Dan Card, responsible for policing the North East Command Unit, said: “These messages were highly offensive and I am appalled and bewildered that the officers found them in any way amusing or gratifying. Those who hold such views are not fit to serve in the organisation and it is right the panel concluded they should be dismissed with immediate effect.”
All three will now be placed on the barred list held by the College of Policing.