A social media post showing a white London police officer painted brown and dressed in what appears to be traditional African wear has sparked an investigation by the department’s professional standards branch.

The investigation began Thursday after police board member Mayor Matt Brown received an email that included copies of the Instagram post. Brown contacted Deputy police Chief Stephen Williams.

“We referred it to our professional standards branch to have a look at it,” Williams told The Free Press.

He cautioned the investigation is just beginning.

With social media, “context is obviously important before anybody jumps to any conclusions,” Williams said.

But, he added, “We take any complaint like this seriously. If there is any racist action or bias on the part of any officer, it is completely unacceptable and we will deal with that. We are not there yet.”

Police board members reacted with dismay after seeing the post.

“I was concerned and frustrated,” Brown said.

“There is no place for racism in our community in any way. That is something that needs to be communicated loudly every single day.”

But Brown also cautioned the matter has to be investigated fully and board members were limited in what they could say on a personnel matter.

“I expect the London police service will deal with (this) very quickly. I think it is important to recognize this is in the hands of the London police service administration and there is a process that will unfold,” Brown said.

Fellow city council member and police board member Mo Salih called the post “hurtful.”

“It is almost 2018. I think everybody knows these things aren’t OK. This isn’t a good look for London,” Salih said. “I will be following this very, very closely as it unfolds.”

The photos were posted Dec. 13 on Amanda Beardshaw’s Instagram account and begin by showing London police Const. Katrina Aarts in uniform, her nametag visible.

Beardshaw praises Aarts as an inspiration and “one of the strongest people I know!”

After two photos of Aarts in uniform, the Instagram post shows Aarts getting her hair and body painted brown. The photo after that shows Aarts dressed in what appears to be African tribal wear.

“It is not (racist). Absolutely not,” Beardshaw said when asked about the photos of Aarts being painted.

Those photos were taken many years ago, she said. “I think this is extremely unfair.”

Beardshaw was asked to pass a message to Aarts to contact The Free Press. Beardshaw cut the conversation short and did not respond to further telephone calls.

Later in the day, the setting on Beardshaw’s Instagram account changed from public to private.

The Free Press tried to contact Aarts at police headquarters Thursday. A police employee said Aarts would call the next day, but would not say if the officer was on or off duty Thursday.

The Free Press tried again to contact Aarts Friday. A police employee said the message would be passed to her cruiser.

Aarts did not respond to those attempts to reach her.

Aarts may be known to Londoners as an occasional police spokesperson, filling in when the regular media officer is away.

She also has volunteered with the London police Rookie League, a baseball program for children from housing co-operatives.

The incident is the latest of series of public relations challenges facing London police.

Police were criticized in the fall over how they released information about assaults on women that might protect others. After media coverage and pressure from women’s agencies, police agreed to review ­policies on releasing information. In December, in the wake of Free Press revelations, London police vowed greater transparency in dealing with charges against its own officers.

rrichmond@postmedia.com

Twitter.com/RandyRatLFPress