A police officer has been sacked after sending 'appalling' homophobic and racist messages to colleagues. PC Michael Hill resigned from Gwent Police in Wales just hours before he faced the sack over misconduct allegations.
He sent messages including one saying that Asian people 'Eat dogs' and another that they 'stink of curry.' The then PC also referred to gay men as 'poo pirates' and called a security guard a 'mong' and a 'retard'.
Misconduct Panel Findings
A panel heard he would have been sacked for gross misconduct – and have now banned him from working in any police force. Hill made offensive jokes and slurs about gay people and Asians in a string of messages sent to another person named only as Person A.
It was alleged he also mentioned turning off his bodycam so he could beat someone. Hill admitted sending the messages and accepted responsibility for his actions, and all 19 allegations against him were found proven.
Senior Officer's Response
Panel chair Assistant Chief Constable John Wade said: 'The texts found on this former officer's phone are appalling and inappropriate.'
'The nature of what is contained within these messages is a severe departure from how the public would expect a serving police officer to communicate with another person.'
'Our communities rightfully expect their officers to conduct themselves in a proper way whether on or off duty and this former officer has failed in that regard.'
Barred from Policing
Mr Wade said the force had agreed to take on the misconduct process even though many of the allegations pre-dated Hill's time with Gwent Police in South Wales.
He said: 'Although many of the 19 allegations pre-date his time serving with Gwent Police, we agreed with his former service to take on the misconduct process and deal with him.'
'This ensures that someone who has proved themselves to be incompatible with the duties and responsibilities of a police officer is prevented from returning to policing.'
Hill was immediately dismissed in his absence and will shortly be placed on the College of Policing's barred list.
