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In one of her first interviews with the media back in August 2019, newly appointed Gwent Police Chief Constable Pam Kelly denied the force had a culture problem.

Caerphilly Observer asked the question back then following several high profile cases where senior ranking officers had behaved inappropriately.

One of those cases involved the suspension of Chief Superintendent Marc Budden and former Chief Superintendent Mark Warrender. Both were banned from serving as officers in September this year for gross misconduct in addition to Chief Inspector Paul Staniforth.

More than three years after the Chief Constable’s denial of a culture problem, an independent investigation has been launched after racist, homophobic and sexist WhatsApp and Facebook messages were discovered on the phone of a deceased Gwent Police officer.

According to revelations published by The Sunday Times, the messages were exchanged between 41 serving and retired Gwent Police officers.

The officer who the phone belonged to had served Gwent Police for 26 years and had taken his own life in January 2020. The messages were discovered after one of his adult children checked the phone.

The Sunday Times reported the messages made references to the sexual harassment of junior female colleagues, racist, homophobic and misogynistic abuse, and the leaking of sensitive police material and corruption.

Pornographic content was also shared. Speaking to The Sunday Times, a female junior officer alleged that misogyny and sexual harassment was rife within the force. She told the newspaper that she had been told by a male colleague that she would be promoted faster if she performed sexual acts.

Investigation launched

Wiltshire Police is now leading an independent investigation and is examining a mobile phone and a tablet as part of its inquiry and includes messages shared on social media between serving and retired officers prior to 2020.

In a statement issued to the media, Chief Constable Pam Kelly now admits the force does have a toxic culture – but one that doesn’t represent the majority of the force.

She said: “The content we have been made aware of is abhorrent and any officers identified by the investigation as having breached either professional standards or the criminal threshold will be held accountable.”

She added: “We recognise that in the past Gwent Police has not always lived up to the standards those reporting issues to us should expect. 

“Last year we publicly apologised to two victims for our failure to support them appropriately when they raised concerns in 2017. 

“Since then we’ve ensured that anyone bringing issues forward can do so in a safe and supportive way, and remain supported throughout any investigation and subsequent disciplinary process.”

“We will not bury our heads in the sand”

Police and Crime Commissioner for Gwent, Jeff Cuthbert said the behaviour reported had no place in policing.

He said: “I strongly believe that this case does not represent most police officers in Gwent who are committed to serving and protecting our communities. I know hard working officers and staff are equally angry and frustrated that their reputation has been called into question based on the actions of a few.

“I want to reassure our communities that we will not bury our heads in the sand, and we will work continuously to challenge unacceptable behaviour wherever we find it.”

MPs from across the Gwent force area will be meeting with the Chief Constable and Mr Cuthbert.