London police officers caught sending offensive messages on WhatsApp

The two serving officers and six former colleagues were found guilty of gross misconduct over discriminatory messages they shared in a WhatsApp group, including some about British celebrity Katie Price’s disabled son, and were fired from their jobs on Friday after a hearing.

Some of the “discriminatory and offensive” messages mocked Harvey Price, Price’s 20-year-old son with Prader-Willi syndrome and autism.

Commander John Saville, Director of the Metropolitan Police’s Professional Command stated, “I am shocked and ashamed to read the deeply offensive messages sent by these officers, and I completely condemn their behaviour.”

Saville added, “I sincerely apologize to everyone who has received such horrific and disgusting texts. The public will cringe over more officers who have committed such egregious acts.”

Thursday’s hearing found that Glenn Reese and Dave Selway breached police standards of professional conduct with regard to equality and diversity, authority, respect and courtesy, and challenging and reporting inappropriate and discreditable behaviour.

An investigation into WhatsApp messages launched in March 2021 found that more than 6,000 messages sent in the past two years contained highly offensive comments about a number of communities, individuals and colleagues.

The officers will now be included in the Police College’s prohibited list, according to the Metropolitan Police. One cannot work in the Police, PCCs, Independent Office of Police Conduct, HM Inspectorate of Police, Fire and Rescue Services if they are on the list.