Four police men fired for laughing at a woman who had been raped

This is horrific.

Four police officers in Bedfordshire in the UK have been fired for laughing at a woman who reported she was raped. The woman reported a sexual assault which included anal rape and a man urinating on her. Following the report, the woman received a nine-minute phone call from the police station where she could hear other police officers laughing and making remarks in the background. The victim said she overheard officers making comments including ‘he proper stuck it up her a***’, according to Metro. PCs Robin Denton, Matthew Neild, Todd Mills and Deanna Waite were suspended immediately. Those named above were found to have discussed ''a sensitive allegation in a manner and in terms that amounted to a breach of the standard of professional behaviour concerning discreditable conduct and challenging and reporting improper conduct,'' according to a statement by Bedfordshire Police. Police constable Neild was also found to have breached the standard of professional behavior concerning confidentiality. The breaches were upheld on Tuesday in Newport Pagnell following a two-day hearing. All four were immediately dismissed.

"This is obviously a very sensitive case and there are other ongoing legal proceedings which restricts the amount of information we can release. However, I would say this case clearly shows how seriously we take the behaviour of our officers. I have incredibly high expectations regarding our officers' behaviour and attitude and in this particular case those expectations were clearly not met,'' Chief Constable Jon Boutcher said in a statement. "As soon as I was made aware of this case I immediately suspended the officers and visited the victim, with Assistant Chief Constable Jackie Sebire. I have apologised to this remarkable and brave young lady and have continued to support her throughout the investigation. I would like to extend my apologies to her again for the anguish and distress this has caused.'' "Victims should be at the heart of everything we do at Bedfordshire Police and we will not tolerate any attitude which undermines those values or damages the trust and confidence of those affected by crime."

Police & Crime Commissioner Kathryn Holloway also spoke out about the case stating that her main concern was about the stress the incident caused the victim.

"I hold Bedfordshire Police and Chief Constable Jon Boutcher to account and there is absolutely no room whatsoever in this force for any officer who shows disrespect to any victim,'' She said. "I would like to reassure the public that the chief constable was understandably concerned and disappointed, as was I, at the actions of these officers and what that represented for the victim. They have not only let her down, but every single one of their colleagues. "In my view, instant dismissal for gross misconduct was the only possible appropriate outcome for the officers involved."