Two more police officers sacked after pornographic Twitter posts and failure to secure pepper spray

In the wake of a dismissal earlier this week, another two Thames Valley Police officers have been sacked for gross misconduct after hearings.
Thames Valley Police logoThames Valley Police logo
Thames Valley Police logo

In a statement last night, the force announced it has sacked a serving police constable and special constable in separate cases.

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In a special case misconduct hearing yesterday constable James Ferguson was found to have breached the Standards of Professional Behaviour for Orders and Instructions and Discreditable Conduct, contrary to the Police (Conduct) Regulations 2012 by posting numerous offensive and pornographic images on his personal Twitter accounts.

PC Ferguson, who worked as a patrol officer, denied the breaches, which came to light in April, but following yesterday’s hearing in front of the Chief Constable Francis Habgood, he was dismissed without notice.

Deputy Chief Constable John Campbell warned that anything falling short of the force’s high standards of behaviour would be punished.

He said: “PC Ferguson’s behaviour fell short of that.

“I hope that his dismissal sends a strong message to the public that we will investigate all reports of misconduct and deal robustly and swiftly with anyone who is found to have breached the standards expected.”

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In a separate hearing, special constable Declan Canavan was found to have breached the Standards of Professional Behaviour for Orders and Instructions and Discreditable Conduct, contrary to the Police (Conduct) Regulations 2012 when it was discovered in April that he had failed to secure his incapacitant spray (Captor).

In this case SC Canavan admitted the breach and he too was dismissed without notice.

Deputy Chief Constable Campbell, said: “Cases like this are rare within the Thames Valley, but this dismissal acts as a strong message to other officers, that regulations relating to issued equipment such as incapacitant spray must be adhered to at all times.”