Four Australian police officers dismissed for racist email

MELBOURNE - Four police officers in Australia have been sacked for circulating emails that were racist and sexual in nature, said an official. One of the emails was of a man being electrocuted while travelling on a train in India.

The four Victoria Police officers were dismissed following disciplinary hearings over the circulation of inappropriate and offensive emails on force computers.

Two sergeants, one leading senior constable and one senior constable were sacked Friday, the Age reported.

The officers had circulated video footage of the man being killed while he was travelling on the roof of a crowded train in India.

The emails, the police say, contained “highly offensive material” of a sexual, violent, homophobic and racist nature.

Seven more officers, all ranging between the ranks of senior constable and senior sergeant, have been fined between $500 and $3,000 and placed on 12-month good behaviour bonds.

The sacking took place as part of Operation Barrot that was established in June to investigate a string of emails that had been circulated before Dec 18 last year.

Assistant Commissioner Emmett Dunne, of the Ethical Standards Department, said: “It is always regrettable when we have to dismiss officers. These are decisions that are never taken lightly.”

“However, the community has high expectations of its officers and we have a duty to ensure that our members act with the utmost professionalism and integrity.

“Given the circumstances, the action we have taken was both appropriate and entirely justified.”