TWO police officers have been charged with sending "grossly offensive" racist messages via Whatsapp.
James Watts, 31, and PC Joann Jinks, 40, are charged with sending messages including images in May and June 2020 via Whatsapp.
They are due to appear at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on May 13.
The Independent Office of Police Complaints (IOPC) said the offences involved racist material being shared by the defendants when they were both serving officers.
A spokesperson said: "Our investigation began in June 2020 following a referral from West Mercia Police after intelligence was received by the force.
"At its conclusion in April 2021, we sent our investigation report to the Crown Prosecution Service which has since authorised the charges."
James Watts is charged with ten counts of sending grossly offensive messages and Joann Jinks with three counts of sending grossly offensive messages, contrary to the Communications Act 2003.
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