IOPC warns officers about inappropriate social media use

26 Apr 2021 12:35 PM

Following a number of investigations into police officers posting or sharing offensive, material via social media, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) recently (23 April 2021) warned that such behaviour from serving police officers is unacceptable, and that individuals could face investigation for misconduct.

IOPC Director General, Michael Lockwood, said a snapshot of investigations between 2018 and 2020, showed a number of examples of officers sharing offensive and inappropriate content on social media.

“From racist, sexist, and other discriminatory comments to photographing crime scenes and using social media to contact victims of crime for sexual activity, it is concerning that a small number of police officers appear to think that this is acceptable behaviour. 

“In the most serious examples we have seen grossly offensive images and messages which the public would be appalled by. Making discriminatory remarks, and the sharing of graphic and offensive memes and images, is unacceptable under any circumstances.”

“Officers can face serious disciplinary or even criminal consequences if they do not uphold the standards of professional behaviour,” he said.

Mr Lockwood has written to the National Police Chiefs Council, asking them to remind forces and officers of their obligations under the police Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Behaviour.

“We have a collective responsibility to challenge and root out this type of culture and behaviour in policing. Many forces take a forthright stance on these issues and have robust policies on use of social media, in line with the Code of Ethics.

“The vast majority of police officers are appalled by this kind of activity and I am encouraged that these matters have often come to light because police officers called out their colleagues and reported their concerns as they are duty bound to do.  A whole police force can be judged by the community on one officer’s inappropriate posting which significantly damages public confidence and brings the police into disrepute.”

A snapshot of cases since the IOPC’s establishment in 2018 include:

IOPC investigations continue into a number of inappropriate images and/or messages shared on social media. 

The College of Policing’s Code of Ethics(link is external) provides guidance on use of social media sets out that officers must: