A DUDLEY police officer was found to have committed gross misconduct over sending offensive Whatasapp messages, a hearing has found.

Nick Slym, a former response sergeant in Dudley, was found to have made or shared inappropriate comments via Whatsapp, at a hearing chaired by West Midlands Police Chief Constable Dave Thompson on November 19.

The hearing found Slym would have been dismissed without notice had he not already resigned before his hearing.

In a similar case, Edward Pitt, a former constable on the Hall Green neighbourhood policing team in Birmingham, appeared before an independent panel yesterday (November 20), where it was decided the use of his personal Twitter account to post racist, derogatory, sexist, political and otherwise offensive comments were wholly inappropriate in his position as a police officer.

Birmingham East Commander, Chief Superintendent Kenny Bell, said: “The College of Policing code of ethics clearly sets out the standards of professional behaviour which everyone in the service should strive to uphold whether at work or away from work, online or offline.

“Most police officers and staff uphold these high standards and social media can be a really useful way of us talking and connecting to people positively, but this must be done with fairness, impartiality, equality and respect at all times. Not only because it’s the right thing to do, it’s fundamental to maintaining the trust and confidence of the public.

“All forms of discriminatory behaviour and conduct are completely inexcusable and have no place in the police service. Anyone who abuses that responsibility will be held to account. The behaviour of these former officers was totally unacceptable.”