Officer dismissed for sending offensive messages in group chat

A Met police officer has been dismissed without notice after an investigation found he had shared racist and sexist messages in online chats with friends.

Detective Sergeant Scott Roberts, attached to Central East Command Unit, appeared before an accelerated misconduct hearing which concluded that he had breached standards of professional behaviour and his actions constituted gross misconduct.

The hearing heard DS Roberts exchanged a series of derogatory and discriminatory messages over a period of time, including comments that were racist and misogynistic.

Detective Chief Superintendent Brittany Clarke, who is in charge of policing for the local area, said: “DS Roberts’ behaviour was utterly unacceptable and falls far below the standards the public rightly expect from Met officers.

“Discriminatory conduct has no place in policing, and robust action will be taken against those who undermine the integrity of the service.”

DS Roberts will be placed on the barred list held by the College of Policing. Those appearing on the list cannot be employed by police and a number of policing bodies.