Latest news with #HampshireandIsleofWightConstabulary
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
Police officer reinstated after using racial slur
A police officer recently reinstated to his role after he was sacked last year was fired because he used a racial slur to refer to a black woman. Jack Thrumble used it in a WhatsApp conversation while working as volunteer special constable for Dorset Police in February 2021. He later joined Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary and was sacked by that force after the content of his messages was revealed and found to be discriminatory. But he appealed and he was given back his job as a police constable in April after the Police Appeals Tribunal downgraded a previous gross misconduct finding to show that in a WhatsApp conversation with two other special constables, PC Thrumble shared a picture of a black woman who had liked his profile on the Tinder dating app. He said she was "too black for me" and added: "If I wanted some hot chocolate in my life I would go to Costa," according to the Independent Office for Police Conduct investigation. The three-person tribunal that reinstated PC Thrumble included Cdr Katie Lilburn, the head of the Metropolitan Police's professional standards department. It said the previous panel last year was "entitled to conclude" that PC Thrumble's language was discriminatory and reference to the woman's colour "amounted to her being treated unfairly owing to the membership of her ethnic group". But it said it was not serious enough to warrant a finding of gross misconduct and that it was rather "a lapse of judgement by a young special constable". It said positive references from other police officers showed that "this behaviour does not and will not be found in his dealings with colleagues or members of the public in the future". PC Thrumble, the tribunal was told, "still remains absolutely devastated" by his behaviour and "feels sick to the core" about it. The tribunal ordered that he be paid retrospectively by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary from when he was sacked until his reinstatement. It added that "if a member of the public, of any gender or ethnicity, were to know the full facts of this case, which include how [PC Thrumble] has consistently dealt with public-facing duties through his career, they would not be put off speaking to or having their matter dealt with by [him]". When he was sacked, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary's Deputy Chief Constable Sam de Reya said the "use of discriminatory language is utterly at odds with the values the public are rightly entitled to expect from police". The force said it stood by Ms de Reya's comment, which it said was why the officer faced disciplinary action. In a statement, it added: "The PAT [Police Appeals Tribunal] ruled misconduct and determined the sanction." You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Police officer fired over racist texts wins appeal PC sacked after discriminatory messages surface Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary Dorset Police
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Yahoo
Police officer fired over racist texts to appeal
A sacked police officer who was fired after racist and offensive messages he sent to colleagues on WhatsApp resurfaced will appeal later this week. Jack Thrumble worked for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary until April 2024, but sent the messages when he was an unpaid special constable for Dorset Police. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said last year that his dismissal showed "offensive and racially discriminatory" behaviour would not be tolerated. Mr Thrumble's appeal would be held in Southampton on Friday, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said. He was sacked without notice after that force found that he had committed gross misconduct. Mr Thrumble was also placed on the College of Policing's barred list so cannot work as a police officer again. When he was sacked, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary's deputy chief constable Sam de Reya said: "The use of discriminatory language is utterly at odds with the values the public are rightly entitled to expect from police. "We want to see our people flourishing in a respectful working environment where everyone feels valued." You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. PC sacked after discriminatory messages surface Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary Dorset Police Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC)
BBC News
29-04-2025
- BBC News
Hampshire officer who sent racist WhatsApp messages to appeal
A sacked police officer who was fired after racist and offensive messages he sent to colleagues on WhatsApp resurfaced will appeal later this Thrumble worked for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary until April 2024, but sent the messages when he was an unpaid special constable for Dorset Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said last year that his dismissal showed "offensive and racially discriminatory" behaviour would not be Thrumble's appeal would be held in Southampton on Friday, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said. He was sacked without notice after that force found that he had committed gross Thrumble was also placed on the College of Policing's barred list so cannot work as a police officer he was sacked, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary's deputy chief constable Sam de Reya said: "The use of discriminatory language is utterly at odds with the values the public are rightly entitled to expect from police."We want to see our people flourishing in a respectful working environment where everyone feels valued." You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
'Senseless' suspected arson attack on preschool
A woodland preschool has "suffered considerable damage" in a suspected arson attack, the charity that runs it said. Youth Options said Wednesday night's fire at its Little Owls preschool, in Eastleigh, had destroyed a classroom, furniture and toys. The "senseless act" had "robbed young children of a safe and inspiring space where they could learn and grow", the charity's CEO Madeleine Durie said. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said it had been called to the blaze at about 19:00 GMT Wednesday evening, and confirmed it was now investigating it as a suspected arson incident. The preschool, which provides education to 42 children a week, is unable to operate in its current state, the charity said. Ms Durie said: "Little Owls Preschool is more than just a place of education - it is a sanctuary where children build confidence, curiosity, and a love for the natural world. "The impact of this fire reaches far beyond the physical damage; it has deeply affected the children, families, and staff who cherish this unique learning environment." The charity is now appealing for public donations to "help cover costs of replacing everything that was lost so they can get up and running as quickly as possible". Ms Durie said there "would inevitably be a significant shortfall" despite potential insurance pay-outs, but said she was hopeful that the community would "rally round to help". "Youth Options is determined to rebuild, but community support is crucial to making that happen," she added. You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Youth charity 'devastated' after second bus theft Youth Options
