A police inspector with 27 years of experience has been dismissed for making offensive comments on social media about Just Stop Oil protesters.
Inspector Ross Meredith, who had a history of rising through the ranks of Merseyside Police, faced dismissal after posting derogatory remarks that likened the protesters to “spoilt special needs kids” and called them “retards.”
The Disciplinary Action
Meredith’s comments, made on X (formerly known as Twitter), sparked outrage and led to an investigation.
His posts, which were considered ableist and derogatory, violated Merseyside Police’s professional standards and equality policies.
The disciplinary action came after he failed to comply with an earlier directive to remove offensive posts from his account.
In total, three posts from Meredith were flagged as offensive, including one from July 2022 where he suggested that a protester who glued themselves to a painting was likely suffering from a mental health condition.
In a May 2023 post, Meredith mocked the protesters’ actions, dismissing them as “spoilt special needs kids.”
He further criticized their cause in a July 2023 tweet, calling them “evil cults” and using offensive language to refer to them as “retards.”
Breach of Professional Behavior
Merseyside Police found that Meredith’s actions not only breached professional behavior standards but also demonstrated a lack of respect for individuals with disabilities.
Assistant Chief Constable Alex Goss, who chaired the disciplinary hearing, pointed out that Meredith’s comments undermined public confidence in both Merseyside Police and the police force in general.
Meredith admitted to misconduct related to the posts from 2023 but denied that his 2022 comment was inappropriate.
However, after reviewing the language used, Goss concluded that the comments in question were offensive and unbecoming of a police officer.
He emphasized that the language suggested mental illness was the only explanation for the protesters’ actions, which was both derogatory and disrespectful.
The Fallout and Future Consequences
The dismissal of Inspector Meredith has sent a clear message about the standards expected from police officers.
Having previously held various positions, including acting as a community inspector and contributing to Merseyside Police’s LGBTQ+ network, Meredith’s actions were a stark contrast to the values of inclusion and respect promoted by the force.
After an accelerated misconduct hearing, Meredith was dismissed from the police force without notice and will be barred from rejoining the service for at least five years.
Detective Chief Superintendent Sarbjit Kaur highlighted that Meredith’s behavior was detrimental to the reputation of the force, emphasizing that most officers strive to maintain high standards both on and off duty.
Meredith has stated his intention to appeal the decision, but it remains to be seen what the next steps in this case will be.
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