logo
West Mercia Police racist-meme detective sacked

West Mercia Police racist-meme detective sacked

BBC News05-03-2025
A police officer who sent memes from his personal mobile phone that were racist and offensive to people with disabilities has been sacked.The actions of Det Sgt Jonathan Cooper, 54, amounted to gross misconduct and he would be prevented from working for any other UK police service, a West Mercia force misconduct hearing was told.Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Jones said the force expected "the highest standards" of its officers both on and off duty.The outcome of the hearing was subject "to the normal appeals process", the hearing was told.
Det Sgt Cooper, who was based in the economic crime unit at Hindlip in Worcestershire, was dismissed after the hearing chaired by Assistant Chief Constable Grant Wills.Between 26 December 2019 and 9 December 2020 Det Sgt Cooper used the phone to send four memes to friends via WhatsApp that were racist and offensive to those with physical/mental disabilities, the hearing was told.Actions of the officer seriously breached standards, including authority, respect and courtesy and equality and diversity, the hearing found.Ms Jones said: "It is vital people from all backgrounds have trust in the police to ensure crime is reported or our support sought when needed. "The actions of officers like Jonathan Cooper undermine this trust, which is something we simply won't accept."Det Sgt Cooper would be added to the College of Policing Barred List, preventing him from working for a UK police service in the future, the force said.
Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Home Secretary: Palestine Action 'more than a regular protest group'
Home Secretary: Palestine Action 'more than a regular protest group'

STV News

time32 minutes ago

  • STV News

Home Secretary: Palestine Action 'more than a regular protest group'

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has labelled Palestine Action more than 'a regular protest group' as she defended the group's proscription as a terrorist organisation. She said protest and free speech remain a part of democracy, which will always be protected, but argued Palestine Action has carried out 'an escalating campaign'. Writing in The Observer, she said: 'Some may think it is a regular protest group known for occasional stunts. But that is not the extent of its past activities.' Cooper said counterterrorism intelligence showed the organisation passed the tests to be proscribed under the 2000 Terrorism Act with 'disturbing information' about future attacks. 'Protecting public safety and national security are at the very heart of the job I do,' she said. 'Were there to be further serious attacks or injuries, the government would rightly be condemned for not acting sooner to keep people safe.' She said only a tiny minority of people who had protested in support of Palestinian people since the start of the war with Israel had been arrested. 'That is why the proscription of this group is not about protest or the Palestinian cause,' she said. 'In a democracy, lawful protest is a fundamental right but violent criminality is not.' The Metropolitan Police said on Friday more than 700 people have been arrested since the group was banned on July 5. The force said a further 60 people will be prosecuted for support of Palestine Action, while Norfolk Police said on Saturday 13 people were arrested at a protest in Norwich. Last week, the Met confirmed the first three charges in England and Wales for offences under the Terrorism Act relating to Palestine Action. The three people charged were arrested at a protest in Parliament Square on July 5. More prosecutions are expected in the coming weeks, and arrangements have been put in place 'that will enable us to investigate and prosecute significant numbers each week if necessary', the Met said. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country

Scots shop worker hospitalised after being 'sprayed with substance' as police hunt suspect
Scots shop worker hospitalised after being 'sprayed with substance' as police hunt suspect

Daily Record

time2 hours ago

  • Daily Record

Scots shop worker hospitalised after being 'sprayed with substance' as police hunt suspect

The incident took place in Glasgow and is now being investigated by Police Scotland. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. ‌ A post about the incident on the Police Scotland Greater Glasgow Facebook page said: "Officers are appealing for information following a robbery at a shop on Hawthorn Street in Glasgow. ‌ "The incident happened around 9.05pm on Saturday, 16 August, when a man entered the premises and sprayed a staff member with a substance before making off with a sum of cash. ‌ "Emergency services attended and the staff member, a 24-year-old man, was taken to Glasgow Royal Infirmary for treatment. The suspect is described as white and of slim build. "He was wearing a green and grey tracksuit top with a zip, orange shorts, black socks and black trainers. He left in the direction of Memel Street." Detective Sergeant Greg Turnbull said: 'This was an extremely frightening experience for the shop worker which left him with serious injuries requiring hospital treatment. 'Extensive enquiries are ongoing to trace the man responsible and we are asking anyone who knows who he is or where he might be to get in touch. 'We are also asking anyone who saw anything before or after the robbery to make contact. Please also check private CCTV and dash-cam footage to see if you have captured something that could assist with our investigation.' Anyone who can help is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 3850 of Saturday, 16 August, 2025, or make a call anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Child dies after getting into difficulty in water at popular beauty spot
Child dies after getting into difficulty in water at popular beauty spot

Daily Record

time4 hours ago

  • Daily Record

Child dies after getting into difficulty in water at popular beauty spot

Emergency crews rushed to Wacker Quay at Antony near Torpoint, Cornwall, at 6pm on Saturday but the child was pronounced dead. A child has died after getting into difficulty in the water at a beauty spot. ‌ Emergency services were called to Wacker Quay at Antony near Torpoint, Cornwall at 6pm on Saturday but paramedics tragically pronounced a child dead at the scene. ‌ The age or gender of the child has not been confirmed, reports the Mirror. ‌ The tragedy comes after police confirmed a 12-year-old boy reported missing at another beauty spot on Saturday in North Yorkshire had been found dead. Devon and Cornwall Police said in a statement to Plymouth Plus:"Emergency services were called at around 6pm on Saturday 16 August to Wacker Quay at Antony, near Torpoint, following concerns for a person in the water. "A child was sadly confirmed deceased at the scene. Next of kin have been informed and will be supported by officers. The death is not being treated as suspicious, and a file will be prepared for the coroner." Police, paramedics, fire crews, HM Coastguard teams and two helicopters were almost the rescue crews deployed to the beauty spot following concerns for someone in the water. Crews worked throughout the night using floodlights on the shoreline to find the child. ‌ Privacy screens were erected as detectives and forensic officers gathered evidence. Wacker Quay is described as providing "stunning views and free public access to the River Lynher". It's a popular spot for walkers and anglers, while visitors can also canoe and kayak up the river depending on the tide. ‌ Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Temperatures soared across the country this weekend hitting as high as 30C in some areas of southern England. The child's death was confirmed after the body of another child was discovered in the river at Richmond Falls. ‌ A search was launched at the beauty spot after a 12-year-old boy entered the water and then disappeared at around 5pm. The body of a child was found around six hours later. A police statement said: "Following further searches of the river, sadly search teams recovered a child's body from the water at 10.45pm today (Saturday, August 16). The body is yet to be identified but the boy's family have been informed and are receiving support from specially-trained officers. "Emergency services currently remain at the scene. We are not treating the death as suspicious and we are not in a position to share any further information at this time."

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store