Metropolitan Police Detective Sergeant Victoria Teagle faced a disciplinary panel for racist messages sent via WhatsApp, stirred by a report from her former partner. Despite the derogatory terms used against a colleague, including one she mistakenly believed to be of Asian descent, Teagle claimed the language was not intended as racially insulting.
25 November 2023 · 04:01 UTC
Nevertheless, the panel found the terms to be racist and inappropriate for a police officer but allowed Teagle to retain her position after issuing a final written warning. The situation emerged from a troubled relationship with Sergeant Nicolaou, underpinned by mutual jealousy. Nicolaou exposed the messages following their break-up and suspected infidelity. Despite the serious nature of her misconduct, DS Teagle presented remorse and positive references, including one from her Borough Commander, which factored into the panel's leniency in electing against her dismissal.
