Jackie Adedeji, a television presenter who has alleged sexual assaults and misbehaviour by a police officer, has also asserted that the detective assigned to her case made inappropriate remarks, characterising the police investigation into the alleged incident as “traumatizing.”
Jackie Adedeji, 31, claims that a former officer, who served in both the Metropolitan Police and subsequently the City of London Police, employed a fictitious identity to commence a relationship with her during his tenure at Scotland Yard.
Jackie Adedeji, host of the investigative television program Untold, informed Channel 4 News that in 2023, she reported a past claim of sexual misconduct against a serving police officer, who was over 15 years her senior, encountered while he was on duty in east London.
The 31-year-old claims that the officer commenced a sexual relationship during his employment and employed a fictitious identity during their prolonged association; an identity that obscured his existing family while he was with the Metropolitan Police prior to his transfer to the City of London Police.
According to Channel 4 News, the cop was apprehended in February 2024 on allegations of misbehaviour in public service.
Jackie Adedeji, presenter of the Courtroom Drama podcast, asserts that during the investigation of her complaint, the assigned investigator made improper remarks, including comments on her appearance and jokes about the case’s role in their interaction.
Speaking to Channel 4 News, Jackie Adedeji said of the police misconduct process: “These experiences have left me completely disillusioned.
“How can women feel safe coming forward when they’re retraumatised by the very system that’s meant to protect them?”
She also said City of London Police told her last year her case had been referred to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) but was later told by the CPS that they had not received the file.
London Victims Commissioner Claire Waxman has since written to City of London Police Commissioner Pete O’Doherty to raise serious concerns about the investigation, Channel 4 News said.
Ms Waxman wrote: “It’s really important that those actually looking into the behaviour have not been accused themselves and have not been subject to allegations.”
Policing Minister Diana Johnson told Channel 4 News: “I can’t comment on the individual case but it concerns me greatly that we have this culture in policing.
“There is a huge job of work for the police to do to restore that public confidence, particularly in women and girls…And we know from some of the appalling cases that have happened in policing in recent years, trust and confidence in women and girls has reduced down and that has to be put right by the police.
“And I know there’s a lot of work.”
A Met spokesman said: “While the vast majority of our officers work every day with professionalism and integrity to keep London safe, it is right they are asked to uphold the highest of standards and are held to account when they fail to do so.
“The Government’s new vetting regulations close a gap in the law and allow us to ensure only officers who maintain a suitable standard of clearance throughout their career can police the streets of London.
“This is fundamental to public trust and confidence and in the last 18 months around 100 officers have been sacked or resigned after having their vetting removed.
“We are working extremely hard to build an environment and culture where the public and colleagues feel empowered to report concerns and know that those concerns will be addressed and dealt with effectively.” [WTF DOES ANY OF THAT MATTER TO THE ISSUE AT HAND?]
In a statement to Channel 4 News, City of London Police said: “Last year a criminal investigation began following the arrest of an officer for misconduct in a public office.
“A separate complaint against the same officer was also investigated under Police Conduct Regulations, resulting in him being found guilty of gross misconduct.
“He is no longer a serving officer.
“We cannot disclose details of the criminal investigation that may prejudice the case but accept the victim’s complaints and fully recognise the importance of trust and confidence in how our investigations are carried out.
“We referred all of the victims’ concerns to the Independent Office for Police Conduct for consideration, and after receiving their advice it should continue to be investigated locally, we have listened to the concerns raised and passed the complaint to a separate force (British Transport Police) for independent review.”
If you or anyone you know have been affected by the people highlighted in this article, then please report those individuals to the Police on 101 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report at Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.