A Metropolitan Police commander has been sacked after refusing to supply a pattern for a medicine take a look at when he was accused of smoking hashish.
Julian Bennett, who joined the power in 1976, was cleared by a disciplinary panel of utilizing the drug at house in late 2019.
However, he was discovered to have dedicated gross misconduct by failing to supply a urine pattern for a medicine take a look at on 21 July 2020.
Mr Bennett’s former flatmate Sheila Gomes claimed he had used the substance each day earlier than breakfast and leaving for work at New Scotland Yard, however the three-person panel rejected that allegation.
The panel additionally rejected an allegation that he had given an evidence for refusing a pattern which he “knew to be untrue”.
After Ms Gomes reported Mr Bennett in July 2020, he was known as in and, within the presence of an assistant commissioner, was requested to supply a pattern.
He provided to resign on the spot as a substitute, and requested for a gathering with then-commissioner Dame Cressida Dick.
Mark Ley-Morgan KC, representing the Metropolitan Police, mentioned it could have smacked of “organised corruption at the highest level” and compromised her integrity if Mr Bennett had been allowed to resign on the spot.
Mr Bennett mentioned he had been taking CBD (cannabidiol) to deal with facial palsy and was fearful the pattern would come up optimistic for an harmless motive.
Panel chairman Akbar Khan mentioned: “It is highly improbable the officer believed he had a good reason for failing to comply with a lawful order.
“Harm has undoubtedly been brought about to the fame of the Metropolitan Police Service.”
He added that Mr Bennett most likely decided to involve the ex-commissioner “to safe for himself high-level cowl to deflect inevitable criticism and embarrassment that may come his approach”.
The chairman also said that “if the purpose of resignation was to keep away from embarrassing” the Met this was “unlikely to be achieved”.
Outlining the panel’s reasons for sacking Mr Bennett, Mr Khan said he had “proven restricted perception relating to the confirmed conduct”.
He said this may lead the public to be “involved his mindset demonstrates an perspective of 1 rule for senior officers and a distinct rule for a decrease rank officer”.
By failing to supply the pattern, Mr Bennett was discovered to have breached power requirements for honesty and integrity, orders and directions and discreditable conduct.
Mr Bennett will attraction towards the panel’s choice.
His solicitors mentioned in a press release: “The panel found that Cdr Bennett did not take any drugs, cannabis or otherwise.
“The panel discovered Cdr Bennett responsible of refusing to take a drug take a look at, one thing he had at all times admitted.
“The panel also found Cdr Bennett guilty of misconduct that he had not been charged with: this concerns an alleged lack of integrity.
“This discovering was regardless of the prosecution agreeing with the defence that this was not a permissible discovering.
“Since Cdr Bennett has been found guilty of a lack of integrity that he had not been charged with, Cdr Bennett has no choice but to appeal so that the sanction decision is retaken on a proper rather than improper basis.”
Met Police Assistant Commissioner Barbara Gray mentioned: “Julian Bennett’s actions were deplorable. He was a senior officer and showed complete disregard and disrespect for the standards we must all uphold.
“His actions have additional broken not solely the general public’s belief in us as an organisation, but in addition the boldness of our personal officers and workers in those that lead them.”
Source: information.sky.com”