MP 'worried' as police suspended over messages

A Warwickshire MP has said he is "very worried" about the public's confidence in the police after a three officers and a special constable were suspended.

A superintendent, chief inspector, sergeant and special constable were suspended by Warwickshire Police for allegedly sending inappropriate messages via WhatsApp.

Matt Western, MP for Warwick and Leamington, said he was worried about how the force would be viewed if the claims were found to be correct.

Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Seccombe said the vast majority of officers in the county served with "integrity and dedication".

The force has confirmed the suspensions were all in connection to an ongoing internal investigation.

Three officers were suspended on 10 and 12 February, with the special constable suspended in November, the force said.

Western said the public would have "good reason" to lose faith in the police at the moment.

"My concern is that these behaviours can become systemic in an organisation," he said.

"It can become a cultural issue and that's my concern.

"I'm very worried that this latest incident, if proven that something has again gone wrong with Warwickshire Police, would give the public every reason to have lost trust in our local police."

In total, 17 officers for Warwickshire Police are suspended, the force said.

Three of those have been suspended for more than 18 months, a spokesperson added.

Seccombe said he had made "building trust and confidence in policing" a key part of his job.

"It is right that a robust system is in place to identify and remove those who fall short of the standards the public expects," he said,

"However, in my experience the vast majority of officers and staff in Warwickshire Police serve with integrity and dedication, working tirelessly to keep our communities safe."

A spokesperson for Warwickshire Police said: "We expect the highest standards from all our officers, staff and volunteers and where there are concerns or allegations that these aren't being met we will take action."

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