Revealed: The 'disturbing' messages police officers sent to each other in a WhatsApp group that saw them all sacked

Daily Mail​

3 days ago

Seven serving and former British Transport Police (BTP) officers have been sacked without notice over 'disturbing' WhatsApp messages that ridiculed women, disabled people, and even joked about hiding dead bodies.
The officers - PC James Elliot, PC Michael Lee, PC Steven Leung, PC Robert Whyte, PC Richard Wood, and former PCs Lee Williamson and David Ford - were all members of a WhatsApp chat called 'Team 3 Secret Service', which was discovered during a separate investigation into domestic abuse in October 2023.
The messages sent in the group were branded 'shocking' and 'offensive in almost every way possible' by senior police officials.
An internal misconduct hearing heard they made jokes about violence against women and girls, mocked victims, and even made references to BTP's own Chief Constable and the 'LGBTQI mafia'.
The worst of the messages included a horrifying suggestion to stab a waitress who had an anti-police tattoo, while others made light of sexual violence, serial killing, and physical injuries.
One message, referencing a disfigured woman, said: 'Fordy taking his new missus home tonight. This one won't get away.'
In one shocking exchange, an officer said: 'I have just noticed the waitress has an ACAB [All Cops Are Bastards] tattoo on her forearm. Do I say nice tattoo or stab her?'
Another replied: 'Stab her and throw her in the river.'
Another chilling message involved a joke about keeping a woman under the floorboards.
One officer wrote: 'Looks like I really am a policeman. You're going under my floorboards later sweetheart.'
There were repeated references to sexual violence, including one conversation where officers joked about taking 'condoms and Viagra' on a work trip to Bristol, followed by a message about 'rope and gaffa tape' with the hashtag #MeToo.
Another officer sent a picture of a bed surrounded by weapons, horror-themed props and a doll, with the comment: 'Yours got blood on it?'
Legal counsel for the Appropriate Authority, Aaron Rathmell, said the group's so-called 'dark humour' was meant to provoke a reaction but risked 'undermining public confidence' in policing.
He added that while the messages were written in a private setting, they showed attitudes and behaviour that were wholly incompatible with the standards expected of a police officer - referencing the Angiolini Inquiry into the murder of Sarah Everard by a serving Met officer.
'The deliberately risqué humour was meant for enjoyment and to get a reaction,' Mr Rathmell said.
'But dark humour often rings alarm bells because it is used to excuse unacceptable behaviour.'
He said being a police officer is a 'privilege', and that officers' right to privacy is 'fettered' by the police Code of Ethics, even in off-duty group chats.
Four supervisors — PS Alexander Bratby, PS Russell Stobbs, and former PS Amed Vafa — were also found to have breached standards by failing to challenge the messages. All were given written warnings, a lesser penalty than dismissal.
Other messages shared included:
• Jokes about a casualty on train tracks, with one officer writing: 'Was he armless before?'
• A reference to 'fisters' in relation to the BTP planning department.
• A cruel comment on a victim's severe head wound: 'That's one way to solve dandruff.'
• Crude sexual innuendo, such as asking if anyone had 'extra small rib' condoms 'for Dave'.
The misconduct hearing was concluded earlier this week, with BTP confirming all seven officers were found guilty of gross misconduct.
Five serving officers were dismissed immediately, while the two former officers would also have been sacked had they still been in post.
A BTP spokesperson said: 'Four supervisors were also part of the WhatsApp group and answered allegations they breached the standards of professional behaviour by failing to challenge or report the offensive messages sent. In each case this was assessed as misconduct and the serving officers were provided with a written warning.'
Assistant Chief Constable Charlie Doyle told MyLondon: 'The contents of this WhatsApp group was wholly unacceptable, with the messages exchanged both shocking and offensive in almost every way possible.'
'Those who have sent these messages have shown complete contempt for the public they serve, the office of constable and the hard-working officers and staff in BTP who come to work every day to make a difference and behave with integrity.'
'Holding a warrant card is a privilege and anyone who thinks it is acceptable to make such comments in the name of supposed 'banter' quite simply has absolutely no place in policing.'
'All officers and staff at BTP are expected to observe the highest standards of conduct and we are absolutely committed to identifying and driving out anyone who falls short of this as we have done in this case.'