Bedfordshire Police Officer Resigns Before Misconduct Hearing

A Bedfordshire Police officer, Gary Lorenc, resigned just days before a scheduled gross misconduct hearing concerning his offensive posts on social media targeting LGBTQ+ individuals and immigrants. The hearing, held on February 2, 2024, concluded that Lorenc’s actions violated multiple standards of professional conduct, including respect and courtesy, equality and diversity, and discreditable behavior.

Lorenc, known on the social media platform X by the handle ‘Bootneck77’, was found to have posted discriminatory remarks and abusive messages directed at various public figures throughout 2023 and 2024. The panel at the hearing determined that his posts were not only insulting but also brought disrepute to the Bedfordshire Police.

The panel presented several examples of Lorenc’s misconduct. One notable incident occurred on June 1, 2023, when he responded to a post from Glamour Magazine regarding pregnant trans man Logan Brown, in which he misgendered Brown and questioned his fitness as a parent. The panel stated, “The only natural meaning of your reply was that Logan Brown was unfit to be a parent due to being trans.”

On July 24, 2023, Lorenc reiterated his previous comments, expressing hostility towards transgender individuals and suggesting he would confront someone entering women’s changing rooms if they did not conform to his views. His posts included derogatory remarks about various public figures and incidents, such as calling former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn a “terrorist supporter” and making inflammatory comments regarding an incident involving an Asian man at Manchester Airport.

The hearing’s panel concluded that Lorenc’s social media activity collectively demonstrated a pattern of prejudice based on ethnicity, sex, and sexual orientation, which are incompatible with the role of a police officer. Assistant Chief Constable Vaughan Lukey, who chaired the panel, remarked, “The messages when considered together presented a disturbing picture of this former officer’s views, which clearly demonstrated his prejudice.”

Had Lorenc still been serving, the panel indicated he would have been dismissed without notice. As a consequence of his actions, he will be placed on the College of Policing Barred list, effectively prohibiting him from future employment in policing or similar professions.

This incident raises broader concerns regarding the conduct of law enforcement personnel on social media and the potential for such views to undermine public trust in police services. The Bedfordshire Police have emphasized their commitment to equality and diversity, affirming that such attitudes are unacceptable within their ranks.