Police officer sacked over ‘abhorrent’ homophobic texts
A police officer has been dismissed after sending “abhorrent” texts which were racist and homophobic.
Essex-based PC Jonathan Williams was found to be in breach of professional standards today, in a case hearing at Harlow County Court.
The 29-year-old officer, from Southend, had been a police officer with the force for eight years. He did not attend the hearing.
The court heard that he sent a series of offensive texts to a woman that were deemed to be racist and homophobic.
Essex police chief constable Stephen Kavanagh told the Standard: “Members of the public turn to the police when they are at their most vulnerable.
“They have every right to expect us to deal with them with respect, irrespective of their sexuality, gender, religion or colour.
“The trust and confidence of all communities must be maintained and every right-minded individual would be disgusted to hear the appalling comments made by PC Williams as an Essex Police officer.
“The community will look to us as an organisation as to how we hold ourselves to account when an officer behaves in such an abhorrent manner.
“There is no place in Essex Police for a person who has such attitudes.”
