Wiltshire Cop Axed Over Shocking Messages to Colleagues
A Wiltshire police officer has been booted off the force with immediate effect after a damning misconduct hearing. PC Frank Katus, a Roads Policing officer, was found guilty of sending offensive and unwanted messages to two fellow police staff during early 2023.
Gross Misconduct Finds Officer Breached Professional Standards
The three-day hearing at Wiltshire Police HQ, chaired by an Independent Legal Expert, concluded that Katus’s behaviour amounted to gross misconduct. He broke several Standards of Professional Behaviour, including authority, respect, courtesy, equality, diversity, and conduct worthy of the badge.
Deputy Chief Constable Hits Out at ‘Unacceptable’ Actions
Deputy Chief Constable Craig Dibdin slammed Katus’s conduct, saying: “PC Katus’s actions fell well below the high standards of professionalism that we, and the public, expect from all police officers, staff, and volunteers. When details of his behaviour were reported, he was immediately suspended and an investigation launched.”
Katus will now be placed on the national barred list, meaning he can never serve in policing again.
Force Rolls Out Anonymous Reporting to Tackle Misconduct
Wiltshire Police launched the Safe2Say Anonymous Reporting System in December last year. This confidential tool lets officers, staff, and volunteers report wrongdoing or concerns to promote a positive, inclusive culture.
Dibdin thanked those who came forward during the Katus probe and urged colleagues to use the anonymous system to help keep the force clean and trustworthy.
