Leicestershire policeman's 'foul-mouthed rant on his Facebook page'
A police officer is being investigated for allegedly posting foul mouthed and possibly racist material on his Facebook page.
The officer made the comments on his personal site but has fallen foul of his employer because he names the force in his biography at the top of his home page.
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A police officer is being investigated for allegedly posting foul mouthed and possibly racist material on his Facebook page
A selection of the posts, some of which date back to the beginning of the year, were sent to the Leicester Mercury anonymously. In one, the officer, who the Leicester Mercury is not naming, uses foul language about "foreigners", calling them "scum".
Elsewhere he swears freely and refers to a "brilliant" shift which culminated in "fights in town".
A police spokeswoman said the matter was under investigation. The officer has not been suspended while the review is carried out.
A person who spotted the postings contacted the Mercury to complain, saying: "This person openly announces that he works for Leicestershire Constabulary, yet uses abusive language of the worst kind."
Ivan Stafford, chairman of Leicestershire Police Federation, said: "Officers have to be mindful that they are on duty and are representing the force 24 hours a day.
"Whatever they do, even if they think it is in a private arena, can be picked up and will affect people's perceptions of them and the force.
"Our advice to anyone using social networking sites is to think very carefully about everything they write."
Another officer, who has a personal Facebook account and also uses the social networking site Twitter regularly, said: "I post about the job from time to time because these sites are about staying in touch with friends – and a lot of my friends are police officers.
"But I'm always very careful what I say because this is in public. I've seen the posts that are being investigated and I can see why some people might be upset by some of them. But at one point he says he has worked a 17-hour shift, so I can understand fully why he might want to let off some steam from time to time."
The officer under investigation has since removed the reference to his employer in his Facebook biography.
The comments that sparked the investigation can no longer be seen.
A force spokeswoman said: "We encourage officers to use social networking, but advise them to be careful what they put out on personal accounts."
45 Comments
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by enricosuarve1
Thursday, January 12 2012, 11:14AM
“Live and let live - just because he posted a let off steam rant on facebook to his FRIENDS doesn't mean he should lose his job or have a black mark against his name for all eternity.
People should be more concerned about what is going on on their doorstep, rather than worrying about what one individual typed into his computer”
by LDLEICESTER
Wednesday, December 21 2011, 8:52PM
“I don't agree in anyway with the comments that were made, but we must remember that Police Officers can be dealing with a lost dog, then a dead person, then a shop lifter then a fight. They choose to do the job but we must remember that they don't do the mundain jobs that we do. They work hard and like everyone else, they make mistakes. Don't stain all Police Offices for this mistake which I am sure he she regrets”
by Rachel_Leics
Monday, December 19 2011, 9:07PM
“Well FB can be good for some things and bad for others like this x”
by mable9
Monday, December 19 2011, 8:05PM
“BTW. yes I would prefer him to be saintly rather that what he is, a flippin nut job clearly
Actually thats what we are all expected to be by them, if you don't belive me see em diggin the dirt on anyone they choose to look into. No stone unturned to find the slightest misdemeanor if it supports the image they wish to portray of suspect offender.”
by bimple
Monday, December 19 2011, 7:59PM
“"there is something creepy about people who tell tales and if the perpetrator were proud of his/her actions why remain anonymous?"
a) it is called whistleblowing, not "telling tales"; see here: http://tinyurl.com/y3s66y2
b) it is not a case of being "proud" of their actions as if they are some busy-body, in fact most whistleblowers do so as a last resort. They do not take it lightly as such people, by very definition, tend to care a huge amount about their profession; they whistleblow to protect its reputation and the people it serves.
c) many whistleblowers are victimised and suffer hugely as a result of their actions, despite the law supposedly protecting them; that is why they often choose to remain anonymous.
I take it you don't read Private Eye? They had a dedicated section to whistleblowing in the NHS and the way that the careers of those who blew the whistle have been runined.”
by mable9
Monday, December 19 2011, 7:57PM
“I am astonished at some of the comments about this story. Don't you realise the power that this moron has! As we dont know who he is or how he performs in his job, how do we know that his disgusting attitude is not reflected in his work and contact with the public? He is a public servent and I as a member of the public would prefer it if he was'nt one any longer. A racist bias idiotic police officer is a very dangerous tool indeed!”
by bronty99
Monday, December 19 2011, 7:39PM
“Opinion8ed, have you stopped to think that the "tell-tale" may also be a serving officer, and as such did not want to pass their details to the Mercury? I think that would be entirely reasonable in the circumstances.”
by mable9
Monday, December 19 2011, 7:38PM
“OWWW Poor love, he'd done a 17hr shift and needed to let off steam.
Would'nt be an excuse for the rest of us mear mortals.
Obviously not that tireing either or he'd of wanted his bed not posting online about it!!!!
What an idiot!”
by CGLee
Monday, December 19 2011, 6:12PM
“Absolutely not a creep, Opinion8ed, he/she should get a commendation. Leics. Constabulary do not want people serving as police officers who hold racist views, or who use foul language on public fora. Don't forget, this person identified himself as a police officer on FB, as well as posting his extreme views.
,”
by bronty99
Monday, December 19 2011, 5:51PM
“Sorry, but I suspect every police officer in the country has been told countless times that you are responsible for your behaviour on and off duty - it's surely the nature of the job. And I would also suggest that being responsible off duty includes not posting racist remarks on social networking sites.
Not the cleverest thing to do, and one which may well cost this officer dear.”