Former UK Police Officers Sentenced for Racist Messages Targeting Meghan and Royals
Six ex-London police officers were handed suspended sentences for sharing racist messages on WhatsApp, targeting Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and other royals.
Met Police's Commander James Harman expressed disgust at the offensive content and acknowledged the potential harm to public trust in police.
The officers, retired and charged following a BBC investigation, sent the messages from August 2018 to September 2022. They made racist remarks about Meghan, mentioned the late Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip, Prince William, Kate, and Rishi Sunak, the UK's first prime minister of color.
Five of the ex-officers, all in their 60s and with past roles in the Diplomatic Protection Group, pleaded guilty and received 6 to 14 weeks' suspended imprisonment. Michael Chadwell, 62, who pleaded not guilty, was convicted and given a 10-week suspended sentence.
The Metropolitan Police, tarnished by scandals and labeled institutionally prejudiced in a recent review, under Chief Mark Rowley is vowing to remove improper conduct among its ranks.
The officers, retired and charged following a BBC investigation, sent the messages from August 2018 to September 2022. They made racist remarks about Meghan, mentioned the late Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip, Prince William, Kate, and Rishi Sunak, the UK's first prime minister of color.
Five of the ex-officers, all in their 60s and with past roles in the Diplomatic Protection Group, pleaded guilty and received 6 to 14 weeks' suspended imprisonment. Michael Chadwell, 62, who pleaded not guilty, was convicted and given a 10-week suspended sentence.
The Metropolitan Police, tarnished by scandals and labeled institutionally prejudiced in a recent review, under Chief Mark Rowley is vowing to remove improper conduct among its ranks.