Thames Valley Police referred to IOPC over 'sickening' case

A BBC investigation claims that three PCs watched body-worn video of an assault victim in which her groin was exposed.

They reportedly used derogatory language about her genitals and discussed how much money they would need to sleep with her.

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The force has referred the case to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, an independent police complaints watchdog.

A Thames Valley Police body mounted camera

In a statement released yesterday (Wednesday, January 31), a top police chief said the behaviour of officers “fell well below standards”.

Deputy chief constable Ben Snuggs said: “We pride ourselves in treating people with fairness and respect.

“The behaviour of the officers in this case fell well below the standards we expect from our people.”

Warning: article contains language that may offend

The story came to light after a student officer reported his fellow colleagues to the BBC.

He told the broadcaster that a woman, 22, had been arrested on suspicion of assault after a fight broke out in Newbury town centre last year.

Handcuffed and placed in a police van, she reportedly suffered a seizure and her chest and groin were left exposed.

Later that shift, officers are said to have watched body-worn video of the moment at a desk in Newbury Police Station.

The whistleblower told the BBC they described the woman’s breasts as “manky” or “crusty” and one officer asked to see her “minge”.

He claimed officers discussed how much money they would need to sleep with the woman, with one suggesting £500,000, and another £250.

The woman said she feels “betrayed” by the actions of officers.

"The police are supposed to be the people you go to when you need help,” she told BBC journalists who spent months tracking her down her.

She has called for mandatory rules for camera use for police officers.

None of the officers have yet faced a misconduct hearing, although they have been sanctioned.

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DCC Snuggs said: “We pride ourselves in treating people with fairness and respect.

“The behaviour of the officers in this case fell well below the standards we expect from our people, and I thank the former student officer who reported this.

“Their action allowed us to act immediately to investigate, and subsequently sanction the officers involved.

“It’s critical our officers and staff feel they can come forward and report issues to the force, so I must make it very clear the former student officer who reported this to us did not lose their employment as a result.

“We took action to support them through the complaint process, and the later ending of their employment is an entirely separate matter.

“We strive to promote a culture of transparency and welcome greater scrutiny of our actions.”