Two Metropolitan Police officers were sentenced today (Wednesday, 2 November) for sending vile and offensive messages online. A serving officer and a former colleague were found guilty following an Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation into messages sent in 2019.
Commander Jon Savell from the Met’s Professionalism unit strongly condemned the officers’ behaviour. He said, “I speak for all of the Met when I say I’m appalled at the disgusting messages. I am deeply sorry these officers have let down the public, and their Met colleagues, with their vile language and behaviour. We welcome the sentence and it should serve as a reminder that we will investigate and work with the IOPC and CPS to prosecute any of our officers who break the law in this way.”
He added, “Our officers swear an oath to accord all people respect and we demand the highest standards of conduct from them. Those who corrupt us with unacceptable attitudes, language, and prejudices will be sought out and dealt with in the strongest possible terms.”
PC Jonathon Cobban, 35, from the West Area Command Unit, was found guilty of three counts of sending grossly offensive messages under the Communications Act 2003. He was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison. Former PC Joel Borders, 46, also formerly with West Area Command, was convicted of five counts of the same offence and jailed for 12 weeks. Both men have been bailed while they appeal the verdicts.
PC William Neville, 34, from South West Command, was found not guilty of similar charges but resigned in October. The Metropolitan Police is pressing ahead with misconduct proceedings against six officers, including Cobban, Borders, and Neville. These proceedings also involve officers from Norfolk Constabulary and the Civil Nuclear Constabulary.
The Met has agreed to hold a standard track gross misconduct hearing to address these cases swiftly and transparently.
Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley is committed to raising standards and restoring public confidence. Plans include recruiting over 100 officers to the Directorate of Professional Standards to tackle misconduct effectively. The Met has thanked the IOPC and Crown Prosecution Service for their roles in bringing the offenders to justice.
Originally published by UKNIP.
