An arrest over alleged domestic violence involving a London police officer has uncovered a WhatsApp group with ‘malicious and misogynistic’ messages. British Transport Police (BTP) today (Friday, March 15) confirmed the standards department had begun a probe into a WhatsApp group containing “offensive” messages found on the personal phone of a serving BTP police constable based in London.
MyLondon understands the phone was seized during a callout for an alleged domestic violence related offence involving a BTP police constable. When police looked at the officer’s mobile they discovered the WhatsApp group which triggered a separate standards investigation. The force has now suspended 11 officers from BTP’s Operational Support Unit, while another is on desk-duties.
A police source told MyLondon: “An investigation has been commenced into a WhatsApp group containing abusive, malicious and misogynistic messages. The group chat involving the 12 officers was discovered after an officer was arrested [on suspicion of a] domestic violence related offence. The officer’s mobile phone was seized and the WhatsApp group was found.”
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On Friday a BTP spokesperson said: “British Transport Police’s (BTP) Professional Standards Department has launched an investigation after a WhatsApp group containing numerous messages of an offensive nature were found on the personal phone of a serving BTP police constable.
“11 serving BTP officers have been suspended as a result. One officer has been placed on restricted duties. The matter was referred to the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) who have directed BTP to lead the investigation locally.”
It comes weeks after another set of London police officers fell foul of WhatsApp misconduct allegations. In February the Mirror revealed 14 Met Police officers from Camden Police station had been put on desk-duties during an enquiry into racist messages. Some of the alleged messages also contained severe Islamophobic and misogynistic language.
In December last year, six former Met Police officers were given suspended prison sentences for sending racist, sexist and homophobic messages on WhatsApp, after a BBC Newsnight investigation.
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