A disciplinary hearing has determined that a Metropolitan Police officer from East London engaged in sexual relations with a missing 15-year-old child.
Officer A contacted Child A using the LGBTQ dating app Grindr to arrange a sexual encounter.
The child stated that upon meeting the officer, who is in his 30s, he revealed his age as 15; nevertheless, they proceeded to engage in sexual activity.
Officer A, assigned to the East Area encompassing Havering, Redbridge, and Barking and Dagenham, was apprehended but has not been subjected to any criminal charges.
The particulars of this case were disclosed for the first time when a misconduct report was released on Thursday, November 16.
The misconduct hearing revealed that Officer A and the minor initially communicated on Grindr on August 16, 2019, and subsequently engaged in sexual activity on the same day.
The communications centred on sexual themes and the possibility of a sexual encounter.
Officer A asserted that on that evening, they convened in his vehicle and subsequently returned to his residence solely to engage in Xbox gaming and conversation.
The panel determined that Officer A’s testimony was unreliable and concluded that sexual activity occurred.
Officer A asserted that he believed the boy was 18, however the child stated he informed the officer he was 15 in the vehicle.
The panel declared: “Our conclusion is that this officer was aware that Child A was a minor in the vehicle—and at his residence when the sexual activity occurred.”
“Even if Officer A was not informed of Child A’s exact age, we contend that Child A’s characteristics sufficiently indicated to the officer that Child A was neither 16 nor, as the officer claimed, 18.”
The panel was informed that on August 26, 2019, the officer permitted Child A, who was by then a runaway, to reside at his residence without notifying the police or social services.
The same day, he instructed the youngster to visit Romford Police Station and enquire for him, but to refrain from disclosing their relationship, as stated to the misconduct panel.
The panel concluded that this officer has deliberately disregarded Child A’s age, fragility, and the critical matter of Child A being below the age of consent.
The officer has prioritised his self-interest and deliberately violated the law, which we determine to be substantially driven by sexual motives.
“He has subsequently attempted to exploit appropriate protocols to conceal the relationship due to apprehension of exposure when Child A has visited Romford Police Station.”
In September 2019, a criminal investigation was initiated following an allegation of serious sexual assault against Officer A.
The cop was apprehended and relieved of duty.
A case file was submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
The CPS evaluated all the information and concluded that the case against Officer A did not satisfy the complete criteria for a criminal prosecution.
The ruling was contested through a Victim’s Right of Review, but this was unsuccessful.
Although Officer A faced no criminal charges, the misconduct panel determined that he had engaged in egregious misconduct.
He was consequently terminated without prior notification.
Chief Superintendent Stuart Bell of the East Area Command Unit stated: “This officer violated their responsibilities as a police officer and their oath to uphold the law by exploiting and abusing a minor who was below the age of consent.”
“I wish to emphasise that there is unequivocally no tolerance for officers of this nature within the Metropolitan Police.”
“We are resolute in our commitment to eliminate officers unfit to don the uniform and serve the public.”
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.