A suspended police sergeant is under criminal investigation by the police watchdog for allegedly distributing an “altered image” of George Floyd's arrest.
It is alleged that the Devon and Cornwall Police officer shared the inappropriate image in a WhatsApp group with a number of other police officers and staff.
The sergeant is being investigated for gross misconduct over the image, which was allegedly posted in the group on May 30 – five days after Mr Floyd’s death in Minneapolis, where a white police officer knelt on his neck for almost nine minutes.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said some other members of the group are also being investigated for their alleged response to the image, or their apparent failure to report the matter.
The probe follows a mandatory referral from Devon and Cornwall Police after one of the WhatsApp group members reported the image to their force manager.
The force said the sergeant under investigation had been suspended as an "interim measure."
Catrin Evans, regional director for the IOPC, said: “It will be of considerable public concern that such an image was apparently shared among colleagues by a serving police officer.
“We are criminally investigating the sergeant who allegedly shared the image, and examining the conduct of some others involved in the group.
“Our investigators will be considering whether the sharing of this image was motivated by racial discrimination.
“Devon and Cornwall Police has rightly promptly referred it to the IOPC, and I would like to assure people we are conducting a thorough and independent investigation.”
The IOPC said the serving of any misconduct notices to those also in the group would be “kept under review”.
Assistant Chief Constable Jim Nye said the matter was “quickly brought to light” internally by a member of staff, with a referral made to the IOPC at the “earliest opportunity”.
He said the force would co-operate fully with the independent IOPC investigation.
“Devon and Cornwall Police wholly appreciate the concern our communities will have regarding an investigation of this kind. I would reassure them that I, and the Chief Constable, will do everything possible to ensure the matter is dealt with effectively and in a timely manner,” Mr Nye said.
“It would be inappropriate to make any judgement or further comment at this stage, but is only right that we show openness and transparency with our communities on this matter, so will continue to work closely with the IOPC during the coming days and weeks.”
