Serving police officer dismissed without notice - Kent

A British Transport Police (BTP) officer has been dismissed without notice following an Accelerated Misconduct Hearing for gross misconduct.

PC Ian Whitmill, who was based in Kent, was present at the hearing chaired by Chief Constable Lucy D’Orsi on Friday 8 November. Here, it was alleged that PC Whitmill had breached the Standards of Professional Behaviour relating to Discreditable Conduct and Duties and Responsibilities.

It was alleged that, between October 2022 and March 2024, PC Whitmill had taken and sent a number of inappropriate images, including ones of his genitals and video footage of himself masturbating whilst on duty and in uniform, and in the process used police equipment inappropriately.

It was also alleged that between March and May 2023, PC Whitmill posted messages in a private Messenger chat group whilst on duty. Additionally, it was alleged that PC Whitmill was in possession of an extreme pornographic image showing bestiality.

PC Whitmill accepted the allegations of taking and sending the inappropriate images, and posting messages in the private Messenger group chat, however he stated it amounted to misconduct only. He denied allegation 4, that he was in possession of an extreme pornographic image showing bestiality. Allegation 4 was not proven.

The Chief Constable found the three allegations that he accepted amounted to gross misconduct and dismissed him with immediate effect.

Chief Constable Lucy D’Orsi said: “The public and British Transport Police expect officers to uphold the highest standards of professional behaviour. The actions taken by PC Ian Whitmill whilst on duty were inappropriate. 

“His actions do not represent the values of British Transport Police and there is no place for this kind of behaviour in our force. Officers on duty are there to protect the public, not facilitate their own sexual gratification. It is for this reason he has been dismissed without notice."