Officers Shared Offensive Messages, Hearing Reveals
Gwent Police officers James Heley and Simon Lewis were found to have shared and joked about messages that demeaned gay and transgender individuals, and depicted women being degraded and assaulted, a misconduct hearing has been informed.
It was stated that both officers would have faced dismissal if they had not resigned at the end of the previous week.
The allegations primarily concerned messages exchanged between 2015 and 2019 within two WhatsApp groups, which were uncovered following the death of Gwent Police officer Ricky Jones, who died by suicide in 2020.
Chief Constable Mark Hobrough described the messages as "vile" and "shocking," stating that the former officers "brought shame" upon the police force.
Details of the Misconduct
During the opening of the case, John-Paul Waite, representing the force's Professional Standards Department, informed the panel that Heley shared and received messages that objectified women, mocked gay and transgender people, and ridiculed individuals based on their race.
The hearing was told these messages were "offensive, derogatory and disrespectful," and that Heley had "failed to challenge and report such conduct."
Within one WhatsApp group, offensive terms were repeatedly used to describe gay people, alongside racist language.
The panel heard that Heley claimed he had not read the messages in the group, but Waite stated the authority believed it was most likely that he had read them.
'Undermines Public Trust'
Simon Lewis was also reported to have been part of the same two WhatsApp groups, sharing messages that ridiculed transgender women and people of South East Asian origin, as well as containing offensive terms directed at gay people.
The panel was told:
"The managing of public trust in the police service and upholding of standards lie at the heart of this case"
and that:
"The need for women to have trust in the police is a legitimate current, social concern."
Waite added:
"It is important that officers do challenge misconduct when they see it and if they do not, it contributes to a perception that policing is a chauvinistic boys' club and undermines public trust and confidence."
Both officers resigned from the force on Friday, but the disciplinary process continued without their involvement.
Findings and Consequences
The panel found all allegations against Lewis proven at the level of gross misconduct. For Heley, two out of three allegations were fully proven as gross misconduct, with the third proven in part.
It was determined that both officers would have been dismissed without notice had they not resigned.
Chief Constable Hobrough stated that the officers had been suspended on full pay during the investigation. He commented that such cases should not incur unnecessary expenses and that the force must expedite these processes in the future.
Both officers will be placed on the police barred list, preventing them from working as police officers again.
Hobrough said the actions of the former officers:
"Brought shame to our organisation and have undermined public trust."
He added:
"In recent years, we have made significant progress in rooting out misconduct and driving substantial cultural change."
He further stated:
"My mission is to restore trust with our communities by building an inclusive organisation that genuinely cares for and engages with everyone in our communities.
I am committed to leading a police service which stands against racism, homophobia and misogyny."
Apology and Future Actions
Hobrough expressed his intention to visit the family of Ricky Jones to apologise personally, acknowledging that the force "didn't get things right."
He said:
"We've looked at the recommendations made by the Wiltshire Constabulary post-investigation, and we've taken action to ensure that no family has to go through some of pain that was caused to the Jones family."
