PC James Ennis resigned from Merseyside Police before they could sack him (Picture: Liverpool Echo)
A police officer has quit after he accidentally recorded himself hurling ‘appalling’ racist abuse at a black person on TV.
PC James Ennis sent the voice note to another police officer on WhatsApp who raised the alarm.
Merseyside Police’s standards department launched misconduct proceedings, but Ennis quit before he appeared in front of a disciplinary panel.
The proceedings went ahead, however, and concluded he would have been sacked for gross misconduct had he remained in the police.
He has now been placed on the College of Policing barred list, preventing him from holding any policing job in the UK.
A police spokeswoman said: ‘The officer had been watching the news and was heard to be shouting racist language at a black person featured in the news item.’
Deputy Chief Constable Ian Critchley added: ‘When we receive information about those alleged to have fallen below the high standards of integrity and respect, that the force expects of its officers and staff, we will always thoroughly investigate to ensure the public and our staff can continue to have the utmost confidence in Merseyside Police.
‘The racist language used by this officer was appalling and this outcome yet again shows that we will take a zero- tolerance approach to racism within our force.
‘I would like to reassure the wider community that we will not allow individuals to damage the good name built up by the vast majority of our officers and staff who do an outstanding job and serve our communities with compassion, integrity and professionalism at all times.
‘The force is continuing to deliver the key priorities of the National Race Action Plan.
‘Our approach to calling out and tackling head on racism sends a clear message to our colleagues and the communities of the high standards which we expect and are essential in building trust and confidence in our communities.’
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A colleague quickly raised the alarm with the force’s Professional Standards Department.