Oxfordshire police officer accused of ‘homophobic conduct’

Former detective constable Casper Bangert faces allegations of defacing photographs of an inspector on a noticeboard because of his sexual orientation.

The inspector, who has been granted anonymity by the Thames Valley Police panel and referred to only as Inspector X, was reportedly targeted by the former officer because he is a gay man.

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Former DC Bangert allegedly defaced photographs of the inspector on a number of occasions during 2024 by pushing drawing pins into the eyes of the pictures.

No other photographs of any other members of the senior management team were defaced, the accusation sets out.

(Image: Yui Mok / PA)

It is alleged that the former officer’s conduct was ‘targeted homophobic conduct’ against Inspector X.

The accusation claims the former detective constable breached the police’s standards of professional behaviour in relation to authority, respect and courtesy, equality and diversity and discreditable conduct.

A misconduct hearing will take place at Thames Valley Police headquarters in Kidlington on Thursday, May 14, from 10am.

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The hearing is expected to last two days and will be chaired by assistant chief constable Christian Blunt.

Following an application from Inspector X, the chair made the preliminary decision to grant the inspector with anonymity throughout the proceedings.

Mr Bangert resigned from Thames Valley Police before the misconduct hearing date was announced.

If found guilty of gross misconduct, he could be barred from the police for life.