Police officer 'used derogatory term in WhatsApp group'

A police officer is facing misconduct allegations after using a derogatory term to describe two women in a work WhatsApp group, a disciplinary hearing has heard.

Six serving and former Dorset Police officers are facing gross misconduct proceedings over messages in a team chat during the summer of 2020.

A misconduct panel heard serving officer PC Mark Philpotts sent a message referring to two members of the public as "one of the three Ps of Verwood".

He is facing the allegations alongside serving officers Sgt Kennie Wilson and PC Kate Trent, as well as former officers Sgt Timothy Borrill, PC Matthew Williamson and PC Daniel Moore.

The panel was told the "three Ps" referred to derogatory terms for certain groups.

Giving evidence, PC Philpotts said: "I'm very embarassed to be a part of that [WhatsApp group] and what was written in there was really inappropriate and really unprofessional.

"I regret it completely and I'm really sorry if I offended anyone as a result."

The six officers were members of the group, which was used to exchange messages Dorset Police believe were discriminatory, offensive or inappropriate.

Some of the officers are alleged to have sent the messages, while all of them are accused of failing to report or challenge them.

The misconduct panel, at police headquarters in Winfrith, heard the WhatsApp group was created in 2020 for a team of officers put together to tackle drug crime in Dorset.

The panel previously heard an image of PC Matthew Williamson holding a sex toy, found in a person's home, was taken and then posted in the group chat in July 2020.

Acting sergeant at the time, Sgt Wilson, said he "felt uncomfortable" after the image was sent and wrote a message explaining the chat was "for work related matters" before leaving the group.

PC Philpotts told the panel he felt "relieved" when Sgt Wilson wrote the message challenging the picture.

He explained: "We are supposed to be protecting vulnerable members of the public and doing things lawfully and making sure we do things transparently.

"Doing that [sending the photo] for simple amusement is not part of the job and unprofessional."

Sgt Wilson, PC Philpotts and PC Trent all admit misconduct, but not to the level of gross misconduct.

Sgt Timothy Borrill, PC Matthew Williamson and PC Daniel Moore all admit gross misconduct.

The disciplinary hearing has been adjourned for the panel to consider the evidence.

The hearing continues.

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