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| Police officers face probe over 'grossly offensive' WhatsApp messages | Police officers face probe over 'grossly offensive' WhatsApp messages |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| The seven are accused of sending offensive messages over WhatsApp | The seven are accused of sending offensive messages over WhatsApp |
| A criminal investigation has been launched into the conduct of six serving police officers, and one former officer, linked to messages shared in a WhatsApp group. | A criminal investigation has been launched into the conduct of six serving police officers, and one former officer, linked to messages shared in a WhatsApp group. |
| The police watchdog is investigating a series of "grossly offensive" WhatsApp messages, said to be "discriminatory, derogatory or pornographic" in nature. | The police watchdog is investigating a series of "grossly offensive" WhatsApp messages, said to be "discriminatory, derogatory or pornographic" in nature. |
| Five of the officers work for the Civil and Nuclear Constabulary. | Five of the officers work for the Civil and Nuclear Constabulary. |
| The ex-officer also used to work for the unit, which polices nuclear sites. | The ex-officer also used to work for the unit, which polices nuclear sites. |
| The other person involved has since moved to another force in south-west England. | The other person involved has since moved to another force in south-west England. |
| All seven are being investigated over "grossly offensive messages" under the Communications Act said the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which is responsible for carrying out the inquiry. | All seven are being investigated over "grossly offensive messages" under the Communications Act said the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which is responsible for carrying out the inquiry. |
| The officers have also been told they are under investigation for potential gross misconduct, although it does not mean criminal charges or misconduct proceedings will follow. | The officers have also been told they are under investigation for potential gross misconduct, although it does not mean criminal charges or misconduct proceedings will follow. |
| IOPC regional director Catherine Bates said: "The allegations against these officers and a former officer are extremely serious and concerning. | IOPC regional director Catherine Bates said: "The allegations against these officers and a former officer are extremely serious and concerning. |
| "On conclusion of our investigation we will decide whether the matters should be referred to the Crown Prosecution Service, whose role it is to determine whether criminal charges will follow." | "On conclusion of our investigation we will decide whether the matters should be referred to the Crown Prosecution Service, whose role it is to determine whether criminal charges will follow." |
| The status of each officer will remain under review throughout the investigation, the IOPC said. | The status of each officer will remain under review throughout the investigation, the IOPC said. |
| The probe was launched after information came to light in a separate police investigation. | The probe was launched after information came to light in a separate police investigation. |
| But the case is not linked to any ongoing or former investigations into police WhatsApp messages. | But the case is not linked to any ongoing or former investigations into police WhatsApp messages. |
| Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has announced plans for a new anti-corruption unit to crack down on officers who carry out abusive behaviour. | |
| Speaking to Newsnight on Thursday, Sir Mark promised cultural reform, saying he would "root out" corrupt officers and staff from the organisation through a new anti-corruption and abuse command. | |
| The 100-strong team will investigate police who are "predatory, who abuse their position of trust - for their personal, financial or sexual advantage - whether on duty, off duty, in person or online", he said. |