Met Cops Jailed Over Offensive Messages
Two Metropolitan Police officers, one serving and one former, have been sentenced to 12 weeks in jail for sending grossly offensive messages. The verdict, handed down on Wednesday 2 November, exposes a shocking lapse in conduct within the force.
Commander Condemns ‘Vile Language’
Commander Jon Savell, from the Met’s Professionalism unit, slammed the behaviour. He said: “I speak for all of the Met when I say I’m appalled at the disgusting messages.”
He added, “I am deeply sorry these officers have let down the public, and their Met colleagues, with their vile language and behaviour. We welcome the sentence. This must remind all officers we will investigate and prosecute anyone who breaks the law.”
Savell stressed the Met demands respect from all officers. “Those who corrupt us with unacceptable attitudes, language, and prejudices will be dealt with in the strongest possible terms.”
Who Are the Officers?
- PC Jonathon Cobban, 35, West Area Command Unit, guilty of three counts of sending grossly offensive messages, sentenced to 12 weeks’ imprisonment.
- Former PC Joel Borders, 46, previously West Area Command Unit, guilty on five counts, also sentenced to 12 weeks’ jail.
Both officers have been bailed pending their appeals.
Ongoing Misconduct Hearings and Reforms
The offences date back to 2019 and were uncovered by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). The Met paused internal misconduct hearings while criminal cases ran to protect the process’s integrity. With the trials over, misconduct proceedings resume immediately.
Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said the Met is working hard to rebuild trust, including recruiting over 100 officers for the Directorate of Professional Standards.
The Met continues to coordinate with the IOPC and Crown Prosecution Service to ensure justice.
Other Officers Connected to Case
- PC William Neville, 34, South West Command Unit, resigned in October and was found not guilty of related charges.
The Met will also hold misconduct hearings over six officers in total, including those found guilty, those acquitted, and others from Norfolk and the Civil Nuclear Constabulary. All will face a standard track gross misconduct hearing swiftly and collectively.
