Police officer fired over racist texts wins appeal

A police officer sacked after racist and offensive messages he sent to colleagues on WhatsApp resurfaced won an appeal and will be reinstated.

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.

A Police Appeals Tribunal found a finding of misconduct should replace a previous finding of gross misconduct last month.

Mr Thrumble will be subject to an 18-month written warning and has been removed from the College of Policing's barred list.

A Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary spokesperson said the force "will now work with him regarding the next steps".

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

You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.