Shoreham air disaster: 'Selfie' police officers quit before they are sacked

Air disaster: the site of the crash in Sussex on August 22
PA
Sebastian Mann7 October 2015

Two young police officers said to have taken "distressing" video of themselves at the site of the Shoreham air disaster have resigned.

Eleven people died when a vintage Hawker Hunter jet crashed into the A27 on August 22, but amid the carnage the pair were said to have shot an offensive video clip before sharing the footage on social media.

The unnamed officers, aged 23 and 24, who were part-way through their two-year probationary period, quit Sussex Police after a disciplinary hearing found they should be dismissed.

Chief Constable Giles York said the pair were "remorseful" but added their behaviour was "inexplicable" and had caused distress to families of the victims of the crash.

Fireball: The explosion after the jet crashed at the Shoreham Air Show
Paul Jarrett/EPA

The officers were investigated over a private online message sent to a colleague about the force's response to the disaster. The recipient immediately reported the incident and the two officers, based at Brighton and Hove, faced a disciplinary hearing for gross misconduct by the Professional Standards Department.

Assistant Chief Constable Robin Smith, following the hearing on September 30, recommended the pair be dismissed before both offered to resign.

Officers and staff can be forgiven for making genuine mistakes, but the behaviour of these two officers was inexplicable and caused unnecessary distress to the families of those involved, for which we sincerely apologise

&#13; <p>Sussex Chief Constable Giles York</p>&#13;

Mr York added: "The men, who have less than two years' service, are clearly remorseful and have acknowledged the impact of what they had done; but when it really mattered the officers failed to show understanding and compassion for the victims and their families. I am confident that they would not go on to become well-conducted officers.

"The police service has a national code of ethics that we expect officers and staff to abide by - including showing respect and courtesy.

"Officers and staff can be forgiven for making genuine mistakes, but the behaviour of these two officers was inexplicable and caused unnecessary distress to the families of those involved, for which we sincerely apologise."

The vintage plane’s pilot, Andy Hill, who also flew for British Airways, survived the disaster and has since been discharged from hospital.

An inquest into the 11 deaths has been opened and adjourned.

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