Police officer fired over racist texts to appeal

A sacked police officer who was fired after racist and offensive messages he sent to colleagues on WhatsApp resurfaced will appeal later this week.

Jack Thrumble worked for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary until April 2024, but sent the messages when he was an unpaid special constable for Dorset Police.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said last year that his dismissal showed "offensive and racially discriminatory" behaviour would not be tolerated.

Mr Thrumble's appeal would be held in Southampton on Friday, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said.

He was sacked without notice after that force found that he had committed gross misconduct.

Mr Thrumble was also placed on the College of Policing's barred list so cannot work as a police officer again.

When he was sacked, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary's deputy chief constable Sam de Reya said: "The use of discriminatory language is utterly at odds with the values the public are rightly entitled to expect from police.

"We want to see our people flourishing in a respectful working environment where everyone feels valued."

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