Hero PC Dismissed After Offensive Messages About Traveller Communities
A police officer who was among the first responders to the 2017 London Bridge terror attack has been sacked for gross misconduct after using derogatory language about Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller people in WhatsApp messages. DC Mark Luker, a member of the British Transport Police, faced a tribunal that concluded his remarks were deliberate and discriminatory.
Details of the Offensive Messages
The tribunal heard that Luker participated in a WhatsApp group named 'Selbie Gumshoes' with colleagues from the Major Serious and Organised Crime team. In one exchange on December 31, 2024, referencing a bottle of whiskey with a security tag, he wrote: 'Was this a raffle on a certain kind of site? Lots of mobile-type homes? Lots of 'Dags?' He added: 'You are the MSOC pikey liaison.' The panel found these messages intentionally linked the Irish Traveller community to theft.
On March 17, 2025, after a group member shared a video of a 'Paddy Day parade on Inishbofin' with a comment about it resembling a Disney World parade, Luker replied: 'Off to find some scrap metal, lead roofing and cable.' The panel ruled this was a deliberate attempt to associate the Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller community with criminal activity.
Panel Findings and Officer's Defense
The tribunal determined that Luker, as an experienced officer, likely knew the language was offensive to a minority community. They stated: 'As an experienced BTP police officer used to dealing with a whole range of people, the panel found that, on the balance of probabilities, he probably would have known that this was an especially offensive use of language directed towards members of a minority community.'
Luker defended himself by citing his role in the London Bridge terror attack, explaining that humor was a coping mechanism for dealing with trauma. He claimed he did not intend the term 'pikey' to be offensive, and the panel accepted he was not 'inherently racist.' However, this did not mitigate the gross misconduct ruling.
Broader Implications and Context
This case highlights ongoing issues of discrimination within police forces and the serious consequences of inappropriate conduct, even for officers with commendable service records. The dismissal underscores the importance of professional standards and sensitivity towards minority groups in law enforcement.
The incident has sparked discussions about accountability and the need for continuous training on diversity and inclusion in policing. It serves as a reminder that offensive language, regardless of intent, can have severe repercussions on careers and public trust.
