The chair of the Metropolitan Black Police Association is facing possible dismissal from the force after allegedly sending and receiving “misogynistic, racist and violent” messages.
Insp Charles Ehikioya is accused over “inappropriate” WhatsApp messages between 2017 and 2020, the Met said in a statement.
He will face a five-day public misconduct hearing on 6 January, with the Met saying the allegations are so serious that they amount to gross misconduct, which if proved will lead to his dismissal.
The statement said: “Inspector Charles Ehikioya attached to professionalism headquarters will answer allegations that his conduct amounts to a breach of the standards of professional behaviour in respect of equality and diversity, discreditable conduct and challenging and reporting improper conduct.
“Between 2017 and 2020 Inspector Ehikioya is alleged to have participated in a WhatsApp chat with a police constable in which there was exchange of messages and media items. During the WhatsApp chat it is alleged that he sent/or received messages alleged to be inappropriate.
“The alleged messages and media are said to be misogynistic, racist, violent and otherwise inappropriate. The matter set out above, if proven, is said to amount to gross misconduct, in that it is so serious as to justify dismissal.”
In February, the National Black Police Association (NBPA) called for people from ethnic minorities to boycott joining the Met in protest at what it called the “racist and vexatious” misconduct investigation into Ehikioya.
In the first call for a boycott in 20 years, the association claimed Ehikioya had been targeted because he voiced concerns about the poor behaviour of senior officers and the racism he alleged he and his colleagues were suffering.
The NBPA claimed Ehikioya had been racially abused in a WhatsApp group and that, instead of treating him as a victim, there had been a deliberate and concerted effort to find dubious evidence against him.
The MBPA has been approached for comment.
