Police officer suspended after Panorama programme exposes misogyny and racism
Gloucestershire Constabulary have confirmed one of the officers who appeared in the documentary transferred to the county earlier this year
A police officer who appeared in a recent BBC Panorama programme which exposed racism and misogyny at Charing Cross police station in London is now working for Gloucestershire Constabulary – and has been suspended pending a misconduct probe.
The Panorama investigation which aired last week led to the Metropolitan Police suspending eight officers and one staff member.
Gloucestershire Constabulary have confirmed one of the officers who appeared in the documentary transferred to the county earlier this year.
They were vetted in line with the College of Policing’s Authorised Professional Practice and its Vetting Code of Practice, according to a letter seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service dated October 1, the day the episode was broadcast.
Police chiefs say in the letter that as soon as they were made aware of the officer’s alleged behaviour they made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
They said in the letter, ahead of the documentary’s broadcast, that there have been no concerns raised about the officer’s conduct since they transferred from the Metropolitan Police to Gloucestershire.
The letter said that in light of the IOPC investigation and based on the information they had ahead of the documentary being broadcast, they restricted the officer to non-public facing roles or any involvement in the evidential chain.
However, after viewing the Panorama footage police chiefs decided to suspend the officer pending a conduct investigation.
Gloucestershire Constabulary has been asked who the officer is but they have not responded to this question.
However, a spokesperson said the constabulary is committed to upholding the highest standards of professional behaviour throughout the service and will always act decisively whenever they learn of wrongdoing and misconduct.
“On Thursday, September 11 we made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC),” a Gloucestershire Constabulary spokesperson said.
“This related to an officer who had recently transferred from The Metropolitan Police Service and who featured in last week’s BBC Panorama episode focusing on Charing Cross Police Station.
“It concerned the officer’s alleged behaviour during the time they worked at The Met.
“The IOPC is carrying out an investigation.
“At the time the referral was made the officer was placed on restricted duties, meaning they were in a non-public facing role and weren’t involved in the evidential chain.
“However, once we were able to view the Panorama footage a decision was made to suspend the officer.
“Suspension is a neutral act. The decision to suspend has no bearing on any indication of guilt and should not be seen as such.
“All cases of proven misconduct risk undermining the public’s faith in policing, and some of the behaviours in the episode of Panorama will worry, shock and upset our communities.
“We’d like to reassure them that we’re committed to upholding the highest standards of professional behaviour throughout our service, as we recognise this is critical to maintaining their trust and confidence in us.
“We will always act decisively whenever we learn of wrongdoing and misconduct.”