Indian-origin police officer among two fired for sharing racist messages

AN ASIAN officer is among two dismissed from Scotland Yard without notice for their “highly offensive and discriminatory” behaviour following a professional standards investigation.

Police Constable (PC) Sukhdev Jeer and PC Paul Hefford, both attached to Forensic Services in the Metropolitan Police, faced a misconduct hearing which concluded last week that

allegations against them of exchanging vile messages was proven. A tribunal heard details of several racist posts, including reportedly one containing a racist slur about the Meghan Markle, the duchess of Sussex, shortly before her marriage to Prince Harry in 2018.

“These vile messages were shared in 2018 within a closed WhatsApp group between a small group of officers. I hardly need to say it is completely unacceptable for anyone, let alone a police officer, to behave in such a manner. The actions of these three are inexcusable,” said Commander Jon Savell, Professional Standards.

The officers faced an allegation at the level of gross misconduct that – between December 2017 and December 2018, while working at Central East Command Unit – they were part of a WhatsApp group on their private phones. They used the group to exchange messages, memes and other content which was deemed inappropriate, highly offensive and discriminatory. The content was discriminatory on the grounds of sex, race, religion, sexual orientation and disability.

“This repulsive behaviour understandably damages that trust and I want to apologise to every single member of the public we serve in this area,” said Chief Superintendent

Marcus Barnett, who leads the Central East division of the Met Police.

PCs Jeer and Hefford will now be added to the Barred List held by the College of Policing.

Those appearing on the list cannot be employed by police, local policing bodies (PCCs), the Independent Office for Police Conduct or Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services.

The officers also faced an allegation at the level of misconduct that they each failed to challenge or report the other members of the group for their behaviour.

The messages came to light when the phone of another former officer, Richard Hammond, was examined as part of an unrelated investigation. He was dismissed without notice in October 2021 following his conviction for perverting the course of justice.