Panel finds that climate officer's WhatsApp chat was gross misconduct

The head of the Met's Black Police Association (MBPA) has been discovered responsible of gross misconduct over a bunch chat the place racist, sexist and inappropriate messages had been despatched and obtained.

Inspector Charles Ehikioya was in a WhatsApp chat with former officer Carlo Francisco, the place objectionable messages had been despatched and obtained.

Adhikari had denied the allegations towards him and stated that the claims had been fabricated or false due to his caste or place as president of the MBPA.

A panel discovered that his conduct breached requirements {of professional} conduct and stated it was “so serious as to potentially justify dismissal”.

The panel, led by Commander Jason Prince, discovered at a listening to on Friday that Inspector Ehikioya had breached requirements in relation to equality and variety, discreditable conduct and difficult and reporting inappropriate conduct.

A call has not been taken but on whether or not he will likely be dismissed or not.

In greater than 7,000 messages between 2017 and 2020, the officer despatched and obtained jokes, footage and movies, it has beforehand heard.

He despatched a photograph of the late Playboy founder Hugh Hefner with the remark “Message from the other side, tell Muslims there are no 72 virgins left”, it was beforehand stated.

The listening to was advised there have been additionally a collection of “racist” messages about Chinese folks.

Jokes about intercourse with a woman with Down syndrome, and a joke in regards to the late Duke of Edinburgh's automotive crash had been additionally within the chatlog, in addition to a video that includes a baby with a naked backside, James Berry, representing the Met, stated. Said first.

The listening to was advised that on April 1, 2019, Inspector Ehikioya advised Mr Francisco to “stop sending or receiving this stupid porn”, saying he may get into “trouble”.

Commander Prince stated the panel “found that Inspector Ehikioya engaged in racist, sexist, misogynistic and otherwise inappropriate behaviour”.

He added, “The panel largely found that the messages speak for themselves.”

He additionally stated that he discovered his protection on the fees to be “fanciful” and “far-fetched”.

Commander Prince stated: “The panel found that the messages sent or received by Inspector Ehikioya, which he failed to challenge or report, deeply damaged public confidence in the police service.”

The listening to was adjourned until Friday to contemplate the panel's approval.