A Metropolitan Police officer, David Seager, has been dismissed from his position without notice after being found guilty of sending highly offensive racist and misogynistic messages to a woman.
The decision came following a misconduct hearing held on Wednesday, February 28, where it was determined that Seager’s behavior amounted to gross misconduct. Seager, who was attached to the policing team in south east London, had sent a series of appalling messages to a woman he knew between February and December 2020, making violent sexual threats.
These messages were sent while Seager was off-duty, but the gravity of their content led to swift action by the police force. Detective Chief Superintendent Trevor Lawry, who oversees policing in the area, condemned Seager’s actions, stating that the messages were grossly offensive and deeply upsetting. He emphasized the distress and harm caused to the recipient, highlighting the additional reprehensibility of the messages coming from a police officer.
PC Seager’s dismissal was deemed necessary to uphold the high standards expected within the police force, according to Lawry, who reiterated the commitment to removing individuals who fail to meet these standards.
The misconduct investigation was initiated by the Directorate of Professional Standards in October 2021, leading to Seager’s suspension from duty the following month. The subsequent hearing found that Seager had breached several standards of professional behavior, including those related to authority, respect, equality, diversity, and discreditable conduct.
As a result of his dismissal, Seager will be added to the Barred List maintained by the College of Policing. Inclusion on this list prohibits individuals from being employed by the police, local policing bodies, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, or His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services.
