07/10/2015

Shoreham Airshow Crash 'Selfie' Officers Resign

Two Sussex police officers who were investigated over their conduct after the Shoreham airshow crash have left the force, it has been announced.

The Brighton-based officers, aged 23 and 24, appeared before Assistant Chief Constable Robin Smith on 30 September who recommended they should be dismissed.

Both officers have since offered their resignations.

The pair were investigated after they filmed themselves near the site of the crash in which 11 people died on 22 August.

The 'selfie' was recorded at the police cordon and contained an inappropriate and offensive message.

Sussex Police launched an internal investigation after a colleague who received the message reported the pair.

The probationary police officers were in their right to offer their resignations under regulation 13, a provision specific to probationary officers.

Chief Constable Giles York: "The men, who have less than two years' service, are clearly remorseful and have acknowledged the impact of what they had done; but when it really mattered the officers failed to show understanding and compassion for the victims and their families.

"I am confident that they would not go on to become well-conducted officers."

(LM/CD)

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