PSNI chief reveals officer sacked over 'offensive messages' is fourth dismissal in recent months
The officer's dismissal followed an investigation by the Police Ombudsman.
The texts, sent via WhatsApp over a number of months, including when the officer was on duty, contained material that was sectarian, racist, homophobic, anti-Semitic, misogynistic and sexualised.
The complainant contacted the Ombudsman when the officer continued to send the material, despite having been asked to stop on two occasions.
Nikki Davis, director of investigations with the Police Ombudsman's Office, said it was 'sustained, consistent behaviour'.
'Digital analysis of the police officer's phone showed that he had sent multiple images and videos, which were highly inappropriate and offensive, to the complainant, other members of the public and other police officers,' she said.
'This was not a one-off, isolated incident, which could potentially be attributed to a lapse in judgement. It was sustained, consistent behaviour, exacerbated by the police officer's view, when interviewed by our investigators, that he did not consider the material to be offensive or his actions to be in breach of the PSNI code of ethics.'
Eight officers who received the messages and failed to report or challenge them were referred to PSNI and have been subject to management action in relation to 'potential breaches' of the PSNI's Code of Ethics.
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The Police Ombudsman's Office also found some of the material was an example of 'online gender-based hate speech'.
'When this kind of messaging specifically targets women and combines sexual, racist and sectarian references, it moves into the realm of online gender-based hate speech,' said Mrs Davis.
'For a police officer to display these attitudes and behaviours towards women is unacceptable, and specifically undermines the PSNI's commitment to ending violence against women and girls.'
A file was later sent to the Public Prosecution Service, which directed no prosecution.
A misconduct file was then submitted to the PSNI professional standards department. The Chief Constable held a special hearing, after which the officer was dismissed. He was found to have breached a number of articles of the PSNI code of ethics.
Mr Boutcher said the PSNI expects the 'highest standards of professionalism and integrity' from all of their officers.
'This matter was heard by myself in a Special Case Hearing and our robust actions show that we will not tolerate this damaging and unprofessional behaviour - there is no excuse.
'The messages repeatedly shared by this former constable were shocking, wholly inappropriate and discriminatory. The attitudes of sectarianism, racism, homophobia, anti-Semitism and misogyny within these messages have no place in policing.
He added: 'Police officers exercise significant powers, and it is vital that there is an accountability framework for officers. If the public is to have confidence that we will police without prejudice and fairly, it is essential that just as we, as the Police Service, pursue perpetrators in our communities, we are as committed to rooting out those that may be in our own ranks.'
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