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Two British police officers have been fired after leaving a message on a woman’s answering machine in which they said they hoped her child would be anally raped.The Avon and Somerset Constabulary officers had been called out to investigate claims that a “vulnerable child” was causing difficulties at their family home, according to official police materials. The boy had previously been reported missing, but had been returned to the family home by police. After his return, his mother called to request their assistance once again as he was causing problems.Police constables Samuel Dexter and Hannah Mayo called the mother for more information in response to her request for help, a police disciplinary hearing heard. In the course of doing so, they accidentally left an answerphone message on her phone, joking that they had “no interest whatsoever” in the child.“I felt like saying, 'I don’t give a fuck, I hope you get raped,'” Dexter told Mayo.“Yes, and get butt raped,” Mayo added.“I’m glad me wasting my time has entertained you,” PC Dexter said, describing the boy as a “little shit.”
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The existence of the voicemail came to light after the two police officers had arrived at the boy’s family home and dealt with the incident. Both officers accepted their behavior amounted to gross misconduct and were dismissed from the police force."[The comments] go way beyond the boundaries that could be described as 'dark humor,'” said Chief Constable Andy Marsh at their disciplinary hearing. “I cannot accept the comments were a mistake, they were far more serious than that, and the people we serve will be appalled to hear that police officers spoke in such a way about a child."Read more: TripAdvisor Will Now Warn You if Sexual Assault Occurred at a Hotel
In a press release announcing the verdict, Chief Inspector Mark Edgington said there were “no excuses” for their words. “Both officers used appalling and horrific language about a vulnerable missing child and their family. There are no excuses for their behavior and their actions are not reflective of our Force or the officers and staff who work extremely hard every day to safeguard and protect vulnerable people."The officers failed to treat the child and their family with respect and undermined public confidence in the Force."