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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Officers reprimanded over e-mail | Officers reprimanded over e-mail |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| A "racist" e-mail has resulted in 140 Hertfordshire police officers and civilian staff being disciplined. | A "racist" e-mail has resulted in 140 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. |
| The e-mail, originating from the US, shows a black man being decapitated on railings after a pursuit by police. | The e-mail, originating from the US, shows a black man being decapitated on railings after a pursuit by police. |
| Deputy Chief Constable Simon Ash said the "inappropriate image" could be perceived as both racist and offensive. | Deputy Chief Constable Simon Ash said the "inappropriate image" could be perceived as both racist and offensive. |
| The series of images, which show the pursued man being decapitated after jumping from a flyover, is entitled "Do not run from the police". | The series of images, which show the pursued man being decapitated after jumping from a flyover, is entitled "Do not run from the police". |
| 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. | 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 440 officers and staff at the force received it, 300 of whom deleted it. However, it was circulated by the other 140 who were at sergeant rank and below or of civilian grade. | A total of 440 officers and staff at the force received it, 300 of whom deleted it. However, it was circulated by the other 140 who were at sergeant rank and below or of civilian grade. |
| I don't think a robust enough sanction has been taken against the officers concerned, especially the supervisory ones Keith Jarrett, President of the Black Police Association | I don't think a robust enough sanction has been taken against the officers concerned, especially the supervisory ones Keith Jarrett, President of the Black Police Association |
| Eight sergeants received a formal reprimand and seven civilian staff in "supervisory roles" were handed final written warnings. | Eight sergeants received a formal reprimand and seven civilian staff in "supervisory roles" were 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." | |
| However, chairman of the Hertfordshire Police Federation Adam Kemp said he did not believe it was racist and staff had been dealt with for a breach of the force's internet security policy. | |
| He said: "The email may have been perceived by others as racist but we have had so many differing opinions around this image. | |
| "My own view is that the image itself is not racist but it's certainly inappropriate to be circulating it within a police force." | |
| 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, disrespectful to the black people that live in Hertfordshire." | "It is, at best, disrespectful to the black people that live in Hertfordshire." |