""It might be said, 'well police officers are allowed to make jokes just like anyone else'. "It will be suggested that this was just banter, just idle chit chat. But the reason it matters, is that sexual assault and rape are of course very serious allegations. "They are allegations which of course come to the door of the police, very sadly, and there is public concern about police officers not taking such allegations seriously.""
"She said that for an officer to make a joke about allegations of sexual assault or rape, especially to other colleagues, "was capable of undermining public trust". White said there was a danger such jokes could make people think police officers do not think such allegations are particularly serious. "They are just a joke, just a laughing matter. It is capable of giving the impression that they won't be taken seriously.""
Brian Sharkey, a former Metropolitan police constable based at Charing Cross station, retired in May after undercover footage captured him making jokes about rape and sexual assault. The footage also recorded him belittling claims of racial bias, making sexual innuendos and discussing disposing of evidence. The Metropolitan Police described the remarks as ill-conceived and inappropriate, warning that such comments could undermine public trust and create public concern that allegations of sexual offences will not be taken seriously. Sharkey accepted that his joke was inappropriate and claimed his words had been taken out of context.
Read at www.bbc.com
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