Former detective stuck pins in photo of colleague

A former police officer who repeatedly stuck drawing pins into the eyes of a colleague's photograph on a noticeboard has been found guilty of gross misconduct.

Casper Bangert, who had been a detective constable, admitted damaging photographs of a Thames Valley Police inspector on five occasions between July and November 2024, while working at a police station in Oxfordshire.

It had been alleged that Bangert's actions were motivated by homophobia, as the inspector was openly gay - but the panel concluded there was no evidence that was the case.

Bangert told the panel he had stuck the pins in the photo as a "practical joke" intended to raise morale.

He said he had chosen the inspector's photo because the "googly eyes" effect would look particularly amusing in his case - an explanation the panel did not find "wholly satisfactory".

The panel said it found no proof Bangert had known the inspector was gay at the time, and that even if he had, it did not believe homophobia was a likely motive.

It noted that one of Bangert's character references, who described himself as openly gay, said Bangert had always been "kind and respectful" towards him.

It said the inspector had described feeling "stalked" by the repeated incidents, and had feared the situation would escalate.

The panel said it took into account the absence of any previous disciplinary findings against Bangert, along with character references describing him as "thoughtful, committed" and having "a strong work ethic."

Bangert has the right to appeal the panel's decision.