Metropolitan Police officer sacked for sexual activity with underage runaway child
The officer, attached to the Met's East Command Unit, "exploited and abused" the child, who had been reported missing. A misconduct investigation was launched after it was decided the case did not meet the requirements for a criminal prosecution.
Thursday 16 November 2023 17:59, UK
A Metropolitan Police officer has been dismissed for gross misconduct after sexual activity with an underage runaway child who was reported missing.
The officer - granted anonymity and named only as Officer A - "exploited and abused" the child after making contact with them on social media and arranging to meet them on 16 August 2019, a misconduct hearing was told.
They engaged in sexual activity with the child on several occasions between 16-27 August and allowed them to stay on 26 August without informing police or social services.
The following day, 27 August, Officer A asked the child to attend Romford Police Station in east London as a "missing person" - but ask for them, but keep their relationship secret.
Officer A failed to make a formal police record that the missing child had been found, the hearing was told.
It was only then that the child was taken by Officer A to social services.
An allegation of serious sexual assault was made against Officer A in September 2019, with a full criminal investigation then launched before the officer was suspended from duty and later arrested.
However, the Crown Prosecution Service, after reviewing the evidence, decided the case did not meet the requirements for a criminal prosecution.
The decision was challenged by the Victim's Right of Review process but was dismissed.
But officers from the Metropolitan Police's directorate of professional standards continued a misconduct investigation and decided there was a case to answer, ahead of a full misconduct hearing.
A misconduct panel found Officer A had breached police standards of professional behaviour regarding discreditable conduct, duties and responsibilities, and honesty and integrity.
The panel, led by an independent, legally qualified chair, determined the officer should be sacked without notice.
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Officer A will now be added to the barred list held by the College of Policing - meaning they cannot be employed by police; local policing bodies, the Independent Office for Police Conduct or Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services.
Officer 'unfit to wear the uniform'
Chief Superintendent Stuart Bell, of the East Area Command Unit, said: "This officer betrayed their role as a police officer and their oath to uphold the law by exploiting and abusing a child, who was below the age of consent.
"I want to make it clear there is absolutely no place for officers like this in the Met.
"We are determined to root out officers who are not fit to wear the uniform and serve the public."