Allegations of use of offensive language - Hampshire Constabulary, May 2018

Following a football match at Aldershot Town FC on 2 May 2018, Hampshire Constabulary made a conduct referral to us regarding the actions of one of their officers.

The officer was recorded saying: “I know you’re Aldershot because you’re black and you stick out like a sore thumb” to a young man who had attended the match.

Our investigation found evidence that the same officer may have behaved in an aggressive manner towards other young people who had attended the match.

During the investigation, investigators interviewed the officer, examined documents relating to the police operation on the evening of 2 May 2018 and obtained statements from several witnesses, including the young person to whom the officer directed the comments which we investigated.

Based on the evidence available we were of the opinion the officer may have committed misconduct for using potentially offensive language towards the young man and for threatening violence towards some members of group with whom the young man had attended the football match. We completed our investigation in October 2018

After reviewing our report Hampshire Constabulary agreed.

At the misconduct meeting held in spring 2019 it was ruled that the officer had been offensive to the young man but that no further action was required.