Seven British Transport Police (BTP) officers — five serving and two former — have been dismissed without notice after an independent misconduct panel ruled they were guilty of gross misconduct over inappropriate and offensive messages shared in a WhatsApp group.

The disciplinary action follows public hearings held in London on 23 and 27 May, with findings partly delivered earlier in February 2025. The panel determined that the officers’ actions severely breached standards of professional behaviour.

Officers Dismissed

The following individuals were named and dismissed:

• PC James Elliot

• PC Michael Lee

• PC Steven Leung

• PC Robert Whyte

• PC Richard Wood

• Former PC Lee Williamson

• Former PC David Ford

The two former officers, although no longer serving, were found to have committed behaviour that would have resulted in immediate dismissal had they still been employed.

Nature of the Misconduct

The case centres on a 2021 WhatsApp group used by the officers, in which offensive, discriminatory and degrading messages were shared. The panel found the officers:

• Ridiculed distress and injury suffered by the public

• Mocked and trivialised violence against women and girls

• Stereotyped or ridiculed protected groups

• Supported or joked about criminal misconduct by police officers

• Displayed a crude and contemptuous attitude towards the public

The messages were not challenged or reported by any participants in the group.

Investigation Timeline

BTP discovered the chat content in October 2023, and the matter was referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). The IOPC decided the case could be handled locally by BTP. Following a significant misconduct investigation, the matter proceeded to public hearings.

In addition to the seven dismissed officers, four supervisors in the same chat group were also investigated. Though their failure to challenge the messages did not amount to gross misconduct, each received a written warning.

BTP Leadership Reacts

Assistant Chief Constable Charlie Doyle issued a strong statement condemning the behaviour:

“The contents of this WhatsApp group were wholly unacceptable, with the messages exchanged both shocking and offensive in almost every way possible.

“Those who have sent these messages have shown complete contempt for the public they serve, the office of constable, and the hard-working officers and staff in BTP who come to work every day to make a difference and behave with integrity.

“Holding a warrant card is a privilege. Anyone who thinks it is acceptable to make such comments in the name of supposed ‘banter’ quite simply has absolutely no place in policing.”

ACC Doyle added that the force is committed to rooting out misconduct, stating that all those involved had been suspended as soon as the chat came to light.

Why This Matters

The case underscores growing scrutiny over police conduct, especially regarding the misuse of digital platforms for sharing harmful or discriminatory content. Public trust in policing remains fragile in the wake of several high-profile misconduct cases involving serving officers in the UK.

This ruling is one of the largest mass dismissals in British Transport Police history.