PC sacked for taking indecent images in uniform

A police constable accused of taking indecent images of himself in uniform while working has been sacked.

Thomas Lightfoot, of Northamptonshire Police, was dismissed following a misconduct hearing chaired by Chief Constable Ivan Balhatchet.

His colleague, former PC Robert Rowland, would also have been sacked if he had not resigned the day before the hearing, Mr Balhatchet said.

The force said the pair exchanged "sexist" and "deeply racist" messages and it was alleged they referenced female colleagues and members of the public in a derogatory way.

In his determination, following the accelerated gross misconduct hearing on Friday, Mr Balhatachet said Mr Lightfoot took the inappropriate videos and images of himself while at a police station, wearing his uniform - including on 18 April 2024 while he was assigned to an incident.

The chief constable said he was "disgusted" to hear about such "vile behaviour".

"These officers are a total disgrace to the public of Northamptonshire, this force and the wider police service," he said.

Deputy Chief Constable Ash Tuckley said Mr Lightfoot took indecent photos immediately following deployment to a "number of serious incidents".

"You can't feel anything other than utter revulsion at the deeply racist, sexist and misogynistic messaging that went on between these two individuals," he said.

The chief constable was also told how Mr Rowland had made comments that advocated violence.

Mr Balhatchet said Mr Rowland had shown "some level of remorse for his actions" and "sought to better himself by seeking therapy".

The allegations were admitted by Mr Lightfoot, the chief constable added.

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