30 April 2024 , 09:09
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Two police officers have resigned after their "cruel and shocking" conversation was accidentally recorded on a bodycam which one of them had forgotten to switch off.
Constables Terrence Flanagan and Iwan Williams were found guilty of gross misconduct at an accelerated misconduct hearing at Colwyn Bay, conducted by North Wales Police chief constable Amanda Blakeman. The "discriminatory, misogynistic and sexualised" conversation occurred in a police vehicle last November following the officers' attendance at a domestic incident. The former officers, who did not attend the hearing, were accused of engaging in discriminatory dialogue during a video that lasted 26 minutes.
If they hadn't already stepped down, they would have been dismissed, according to the chief constable's decision. The Police Federation stated that while they accepted the officers' misconduct, they did not agree with the gross misconduct charge, citing that both officers had been under stress.
The officers' inappropriate conversation came to light during a review of an investigation. Full details were not disclosed publicly. The chief constable slammed two officers for their "cruel, shocking and offensive" comments about members of the public and colleagues. The pair were accused of making disparaging remarks after attending an incident on November 12 2023, reports North Wales Live.
North Wales Police HQ in Colwyn Bay (Hadyn Iball)She said: "Violence against women and girls will not be tolerated here. Behaviour that amounts to misogynist or discriminatory behaviour will not be tolerated, and dealt with appropriately." Former PC Williams was said to feel "ashamed and embarrassed", believing he was having a private conversation. Ex-PC Flanagan reportedly "deeply regrets" his words.
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The chief constable added: "I am cognisant of how their conduct would be perceived by the public if they were to hear the conversation. Most of the public would feel, as I do, that the conversation was unacceptable on any level and certainly not the conduct they would expect of police officers.
"I would describe the comments as cruel, shocking and offensive. The public have an absolute entitlement to expect North Wales police officers and staff to be operating at the highest possible standard of professional behaviour. The fact this conversation took place out of view of the public doesn't detract from the impact and the harm it has the potential to cause."
Although the conversation was private, its contents could still potentially cause harm. "This in an aggravating factor. Comments were repeated," she declared. The police chief confirmed this. But she added: "Those officers and staff who behave in this way can expect the most serious sanction." Such behaviour from officers would have severe consequences.