Police chief gives damning critique of two police officers being investigated for their actions at Shoreham air crash site

The investigation into the actions of two police officers who allegedly shared an inappropriate video of the Shoreham air disaster crash site will be concluded in the next few weeks, a police chief has revealed.
Two police officers are under investigation for allegedly sharing an inappropriate video of the Shoreham air disaster crash siteTwo police officers are under investigation for allegedly sharing an inappropriate video of the Shoreham air disaster crash site
Two police officers are under investigation for allegedly sharing an inappropriate video of the Shoreham air disaster crash site

Both officers are now being dealt with using a regulation process specifically for probationary officers.

The allegation relates to a video sent to colleagues on social media and a subsequent private message to one officer.

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Deputy Chief Constable Olivia Pinkney said: “I have considered the information presented to me in this case very carefully and I have assessed all of the available options to enable me to deal with this matter. I have decided that the most appropriate course of action is to use the Regulation 13 process which is specific to probationary officers and is in place to protect the public if officers demonstrate behaviours that show they are not suited to the job during their probationary period.

“Each officer will be required to attend a meeting with a chief officer who will look at the evidence and make a recommendation to the Chief Constable as to what should happen to the officers involved. I expect the process to be concluded within the next few weeks. A possible outcome is that the Chief Constable may decide that the officers leave the force.

“I have decided in this case that I have seen sufficient evidence that these officers are not likely to become well conducted constables, which is why I am using this Regulation. Regulation 13 is an entirely appropriate method for addressing the behaviours of both officers and is in line with Home Office Guidance. Upholding the highest standards of professional behaviour is of utmost importance to me and my colleagues.

“At Sussex Police it’s OK to make a mistake and as an organisation we don’t punish people for making them honestly. However in this case I don’t believe this behaviour was an honest mistake, instead it was a deliberate choice to behave in a wholly disrespectful way. I would like to apologise again to the victims’ families for the unnecessary distress this has undoubtedly caused them.”

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