Nottinghamshire Police inspector sacked after 'abusive' and 'unprofessional' Twitter posts

A Nottinghamshire Police inspector who posted abusive messages on social media has been sacked.

Two women complained about Insp Philip Grimwade's behaviour in January and April 2023.

The pair said some of his posts on Twitter, now known as X, were "misogynistic, abusive and unprofessional".

Mr Grimwade admitted to gross misconduct at an accelerated standards hearing on November 20 and was dismissed.

He had written posts calling two female X users "mentalists and narcissists".

One of the women he targeted was involved in a vigil for murder victim Sarah Everard.

Insp Grimwade, who has been a serving police officer for 26 years, said he originally set up his X account to shine a light on the good work of the force but had lost focus, perspective and manners over time.

'Repeated and sustained'

He denied having misogynistic views and was deeply remorseful for what he did.

Nottinghamshire Police Chief Constable Kate Meynell, who chaired the hearing, said the inspector sent "derogatory, offensive, discriminatory and abusive comments" on social media over five years.

She added: "This is at a time when policing is under considerable national scrutiny through high-profile cases where there has been a failing to prevent or protect women and girls from abuse and violence.

"His postings directly concerned a woman involved in the Sarah Everard vigil at a time when quite rightly the public were concerned about the attitude of police officers towards women and girls.

"The officer's conduct was intentional, deliberate and targeted and occurred over a period of years. It was repeated and sustained behaviour."

Insp Grimwade was placed on the Barred List, which prevents him from being employed as a police officer in England and Wales.

Former Met Police officer Wayne Couzens was given a whole-life sentence for the murder of Sarah Everard after admitting to the kidnap, rape and murder of the 33-year-old in 2021.