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Officers reprimanded over e-mail | Officers reprimanded over e-mail |
(20 minutes later) | |
A "racist" e-mail has resulted in 100 Hertfordshire police officers and civilian staff being disciplined. | A "racist" e-mail has resulted in 100 Hertfordshire police officers and civilian staff being disciplined. |
Fifteen of the most senior officers and staff were given formal reprimands, or the civilian equivalent, for distributing the visual message. | Fifteen of the most senior officers and staff were given formal reprimands, or the civilian equivalent, for distributing the visual message. |
Another 85 were disciplined with either a formal warning or management advice. | Another 85 were disciplined with either a formal warning or management advice. |
The e-mail, originating from the US, shows a black suspect being decapitated on railings after jumping from a flyover after a pursuit by police. | The e-mail, originating from the US, shows a black suspect being decapitated on railings after jumping from a flyover after a pursuit by police. |
The series of images is entitled "Do not run from the police". A senior officer said it could have been perceived as racist. | The series of images is entitled "Do not run from the police". A senior officer said it could have been perceived as racist. |
Disappointed by conduct | Disappointed by conduct |
Hertfordshire Police mounted a five-month long "robust" investigation into the distribution of the e-mail, under the supervision of the Independent Police Complaints Commission. | |
A total of 400 officers and staff at the force received it, 300 of whom deleted it. However, it was circulated by the other 100. | A total of 400 officers and staff at the force received it, 300 of whom deleted it. However, it was circulated by the other 100. |
Of those, 15 were in "supervisory roles". Eight police officers were given a formal reprimand and seven police staff handed final written warnings. | Of those, 15 were in "supervisory roles". Eight police officers were given a formal reprimand and seven police staff handed final written warnings. |
Deputy Chief Constable Simon Ash said: "I am disappointed by the conduct of officers and staff who distributed this inappropriate image that some people may have perceived as being racist. | Deputy Chief Constable Simon Ash said: "I am disappointed by the conduct of officers and staff who distributed this inappropriate image that some people may have perceived as being racist. |
"Through this investigation we have been able to clearly re-state the high standards of conduct required from everyone who works for us - this is no less than our public should expect and demand of us." | "Through this investigation we have been able to clearly re-state the high standards of conduct required from everyone who works for us - this is no less than our public should expect and demand of us." |
Alicia Moore, of Hertfordshire's Black Police Association, said the disciplinary sanctions were "appropriate". | Alicia Moore, of Hertfordshire's Black Police Association, said the disciplinary sanctions were "appropriate". |
"We see this outcome as an opportunity for us all to learn from the investigation and to be able to move on," she said. | "We see this outcome as an opportunity for us all to learn from the investigation and to be able to move on," she said. |
President of the Black Police Association Keith Jarrett said disciplinary action should have gone further. | President of the Black Police Association Keith Jarrett said disciplinary action should have gone further. |
"I don't think a robust enough sanction has been taken against the officers concerned, especially the supervisory ones," he said. | "I don't think a robust enough sanction has been taken against the officers concerned, especially the supervisory ones," he said. |
"It is, at best, disrespecful to the black people that live in Hertfordshire." | "It is, at best, disrespecful to the black people that live in Hertfordshire." |