A West Yorkshire Police officer is alleged to have sent or received WhatsApp messages described as ‘offensive’ or ‘discriminatory’. and will face a misconduct hearing later this week at Police HQ in Wakefield.
Details of the allegations have been posted on the force website ahead of a hearing:
It is alleged that PC 2408 Louis Hepplestone breached the standards of professional behaviour relating to authority, respect and courtesy, and also in relation to equality and diversity.
It is further claimed he did not challenge or report improper conduct.
The notice goes on to say that on 30th July, 2020, prior to becoming a police officer, PC Hepplestone joined a WhatsApp group with two others including William Loyd-Hughes.
On 16th November, 2020, PC Hepplestone joined West Yorkshire Police as a police constable.
Between 30th July, 2020, and 15th March, 2022, PC Hepplestone received and/or responded to and/or sent WhatsApp messages which were offensive and/or discriminatory.
On 14th February, 2022, William Loyd-Hughes joined West Yorkshire Police as a Detention Officer.
At no point in time did PC Hepplestone report William Loyd Hughes for the offensive and/or discriminatory messages.
It is contended that, if proven, the allegations amount to gross misconduct and one of the sanctions available is dismissal without notice.
The hearing opens at 10am on Thursday 2nd November, 2023.
The Legally Qualified Chair of the misconduct panel has not been named by the force nor have they provided details of the present duty status of the police constable and the district or unit within which he was or is deployed.
PC Hepplestone is expected to deny the allegations.
In April, 2023, Loyd-Hughes, based at Huddersfield Police Station, was sentenced to an eighteen month Community Order; 100 hours unpaid work and rehabilitation activity, for posting grossly offensive messages on Twitter and showing support for a proscribed organisation, the Ulster Defence Association.
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Page last updated: Monday 30th October, 2023 at 07h45
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