A body camera accidentally left recording captured four hours of conversations at Norfolk Constabulary, during which officers discussed whether they would have sex with suspects, mocked a protester, and made derogatory remarks.
Officers discuss having sex with suspects
The audio, obtained from the body camera of Gemma Barnes, 36, who was arrested at Bethel Street Police Station in Norwich on January 14, 2023, reveals officers debating the attractiveness of a female suspect. One female officer asked: "Do you think [name] is hot or not?" A male officer then asked others: "I mean, would you?" in an apparent reference to whether they would have sex with the individual. Another male officer said: "I'm trying to work out if they're fit or not."
The suspect, who is not named, told Metro: "I am completely shocked that people we are paying to keep our streets safe are using their time to discuss whether they would have sex with suspects or not. I already have little faith in the law, now I already have even less faith. They really should be even more careful."
Officers mock protester and joke about assault
The footage also captured officers laughing about a protester who was pushed to the ground. Discussing the incident, one officer said: "She went down like Cristiano Ronaldo." Another officer added: "I like how you're so committed, you fucking send Gemma Barnes flying and then you're like, 'right, next protester'." A male officer described the treatment as "reverse old-school custody," to which another responded: "It was, dragging her down the stairs, come on bitch."
Gemma Barnes, an animal rights activist, had been arrested after challenging an officer she said pushed her into a busy road. Video shows her being shoved and falling back into the street. The officers appeared to enjoy watching the footage, with one policewoman saying she was "just warming myself up for a nice treat" before accessing it.
Concerns over police statements
At least one officer made concerning comments about potentially exaggerating written police statements. An officer told a colleague he better "spin-the-wheel out" because he thinks "it's gunna be one of them sort of statements." In a separate conversation, an officer said: "It's fine, I've just got to write a creative statement."
Gemma, who received her camera back 11 months later, said she was shocked but not surprised by the content. She said: "The whole thing is deplorable, the police are supposed to be impartial."
Legal action and police response
A charge of public nuisance against Gemma was later dropped, and she was acquitted at Norfolk Magistrates' Court for a Section 5 public order offence. She is now suing Norfolk Constabulary for wrongful arrest, malicious prosecution, assault and battery, and trespass to goods.
A Norfolk Constabulary spokesperson said they had reviewed the footage and considered 17 aspects of a single complaint. They stated: "Following that investigation, a number of matters were addressed through the appropriate misconduct processes. We also reviewed arrest and stop and search records for the officers involved and found no wider evidence of discriminatory behaviour. This investigation is currently subject to a complainant's right to review with the Independent Office for Police Conduct."
The spokesperson added: "We know that some of the content currently being shared will undermine public confidence in policing. People rightly expect high standards from police officers and staff, and some of the content being circulated falls short of what the public would expect to hear."
