Two police officers dismissed for offensive messages

Two police officers have been dismissed after sending more than 800 racist, sexist, misogynistic and homophobic messages to each other on WhatsApp.

Hampshire Constabulary said PC Michael Spake and PC Adam Holloway shared the offensive messages in July and August 2023.

They were dismissed without notice following a misconduct hearing.

Chief Constable Scott Chilton said they were "among the most abhorrent" messages he had ever seen.

The hearing, held at police headquarters in Winchester, was told the messages also made reference to plagiarism of the officers' student dissertations.

They also included derogatory comments about other members of staff, including line managers and colleagues.

The two officers were placed on the College of Policing barred list for five years.

Mr Chilton, who chaired the hearing, said: "I was incensed when [the messages] were presented to me as part of this hearing.

"The way these officers discussed treating members of the public and colleagues defies belief and they now deservedly hold the shame of being dismissed from policing due to their own disgusting language and beliefs."

He said he expected a "full and thorough" investigation into any further matters, including any "criminal conduct".

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