A policeman who accidentally recorded himself screaming racist abuse at a black person on TV has resigned.
PC James Ennis mistakenly forwarded a voice note of himself shouting "appalling" obscenities to a colleague over WhatsApp, who then raised the alarm.
The Merseyside Police officer was placed under investigation by the force's Professional Standards Department and misconduct proceedings were launched.
Ennis quit his job before he could be hauled before a disciplinary panel, reports the Liverpool Echo.
However the proceedings went ahead and concluded he would have been sacked for gross misconduct had he remained.
The ruling means he will be placed on the College of Policing barred list preventing him from holding any policing job in the UK.
The two-day disciplinary hearing took place this month before an independent chair.
Ennis was found guilty of breaching the force's standard of professional behaviour to the level of gross misconduct.
Merseyside Police said the incident took place on November 15 last year at Ennis's home.
Ennis was having a text conversation with a fellow officer when he recorded the vile voice note, which was sent to the another officer's phone.
A spokeswoman for the force said: "The officer had been watching the news and was heard to be shouting racist language at a black person featured in the news item."
Deputy Chief Constable Ian Critchley added: "We acknowledge the outcome of the hearing and the judgement of the Panel.
"When we receive information about those alleged to have fallen below the high standards of integrity and respect, that the force expects of its officers and staff, we will always thoroughly investigate to ensure the public and our staff can continue to have the utmost confidence in Merseyside Police.
"The racist language used by this officer was appalling and this outcome yet again shows that we will take a zero- tolerance approach to racism within our force.
"I would like to reassure the wider community that we will not allow individuals to damage the good name built up by the vast majority of our officers and staff who do an outstanding job and serve our communities with compassion, integrity and professionalism at all times.
"The force is continuing to deliver the key priorities of the National Race Action Plan.
"Our approach to calling out and tackling head on racism sends a clear message to our colleagues and the communities of the high standards which we expect and are essential in building trust and confidence in our communities."
