AN INVESTIGATION remains ongoing within the police force after five officers were suspended over alleged “discriminatory” WhatsApp messages. 

Dorset Police suspended five serving officers from duty in July last year after a report was made to the force’s Professional Standards Department about messages in a single WhatsApp group. 

A spokesman for the force said in December, when the allegations became public, that a “proactive referral” was made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) at the “earliest opportunity” and that it was referred back to the force for local investigation. 

He added: “It would be inappropriate to make any further comment at this stage, but is only right that we show openness and transparency with our communities and will provide an update on this matter as soon as we are able to.  

“We wholly appreciate the concern our communities will have regarding alleged discriminatory behaviour within Dorset Police, and we would like to reassure them that we will do everything possible to ensure the matter is dealt with effectively and in a timely manner.” 

Providing an update, a spokeswoman for the force said: “Our investigation remains ongoing.” 

An IOPC spokesperson said: “Having assessed the referral, we decided the force should continue with their local investigation into the allegations.”