A Metropolitan Police officer who made inappropriate remarks about a “pretty lesbian” recruit in a WhatsApp group chat would have been sacked had she not resigned before a disciplinary hearing.
PC Rebecca King was found to have shared the offensive message in a private WhatsApp chat with four colleagues, including PC Kevin Odongo. The exchange was discovered during an unrelated misconduct investigation, bringing to light deeply inappropriate discussions among serving officers.
At the disciplinary hearing on Friday, it was revealed that in October 2020, King sent a message describing a new female recruit, saying:
“She’s new girl on team. Lesbian. Pretty though.”
Odongo then replied:
“She can get it then.”
The comments, which were deemed highly offensive, were just one of many disturbing messages exchanged in a WhatsApp group titled “Not the big bloody group”. The group included PC Dean Murphy and two other unnamed officers.
The investigation uncovered a staggering 2,962 pages of messages, many of which contained misogynistic, inappropriate, and offensive remarks. Some were exchanged even after the murder of Sarah Everard by Met officer Wayne Couzens in March 2021, yet the officers continued their behaviour unchecked.
In another instance, King responded to an image posted by a male officer showing his fingers, saying:
“Nice, did she enjoy it?”
Odongo also made a direct comment towards King, writing:
“Becks, can’t believe you’ve got a whole boyfriend. All this time I’ve been trying to smash you.”
During the hearing, PC Murphy, who was stationed in Newham and Waltham Forest, admitted that some of the messages were misogynistic and even suggested violence towards women and girls.
Despite the damning evidence, both King and Odongo denied gross misconduct. King argued that she had challenged some of the inappropriate behaviour, but this was dismissed by the panel.
Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, who oversaw the hearing, found that the officers had breached the standards of professional behaviour in several key areas, including discreditable conduct, authority, respect and courtesy, and challenging and reporting improper conduct.
Taylor described some of the messages as being of “the most abhorrent nature” and emphasised that despite widespread media coverage of police WhatsApp scandals, these officers continued their unacceptable conduct.
“In the period the WhatsApp group was active, numerous high-profile media stories came to light concerning inappropriate WhatsApp groups between police officers, yet this did not change their behaviour,” he stated.
“Also, Sarah Everard was murdered in March 2021 by a police officer, and the reporting on that did not interrupt the messaging in the group.”
Once the investigation began, King, Odongo, and Murphy were placed on restricted duties. However, King and Odongo later resigned, while Murphy was dismissed without notice.
All three officers have now been placed on the College of Policing’s barred list, ensuring they cannot be re-employed in law enforcement.
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Chief Superintendent Dan Card, responsible for policing the North East Command Unit, strongly condemned their actions:
“These messages were highly offensive, and I am appalled and bewildered that the officers found them in any way amusing or gratifying.”
“Those who hold such views are not fit to serve in the organisation, and it is right the panel concluded they should be dismissed with immediate effect.”
The case has once again raised serious concerns about misogyny, discrimination, and toxic behaviour within the Met Police. The force has faced repeated scrutiny over its culture, with multiple officers exposed for misconduct in recent years.
Campaigners and politicians continue to call for stronger reforms, arguing that the force needs deeper structural changes to tackle misogyny, racism, and corruption within its ranks.
For now, the removal of these officers sends a clear message that such behaviour will not be tolerated—but many argue that the Met must do more to restore public trust and ensure officers uphold the highest standards of integrity.
