Advertisement

Met police officers sacked for ‘appalling’ treatment of junior staff

Two police officers have been dismissed after a disciplinary hearing.   (PA Wire)
Two police officers have been dismissed after a disciplinary hearing. (PA Wire)

Two senior Metropolitan Police officers have been dismissed for the “appalling” treatment of staff and allegations over alleged financial irregularities.

The pair, Chief Superintendent Paul Martin and Chief Inspector Davinder Kandohla, were hauled between a disciplinary board and were found to have breached standards of professional behaviour.

In a statement the Met said after the conclusion of a hearing on Sunday: “Chief Superintendent Paul Martin was found to have breached Standards of Professional Behaviour, amounting to gross misconduct, in relation to honesty and integrity, orders and instructions, duties and responsibilities, authority, respect and courtesy, and equality and diversity.

“The breaches related to misusing a corporate credit card, conduct towards more junior members of staff including a pregnant colleague and failing to declare a conflict of interest while assisting in a promotion process for Chief Inspector Davinder Kandohla.

“He was dismissed without notice.”

The statement continued: “Chief Inspector Kandohla was also found to have breached Standards of Professional Behaviour, amounting to gross misconduct, in relation to honesty and integrity, authority, respect and courtesy, duties and responsibilities and discreditable conduct.

“The breaches related to failing to declare a conflict of interest while taking part in his own promotion process, providing a misleading account to professional standards officers during an investigation into expenses he had claimed and conduct towards junior members of staff. He was dismissed without notice.”

The investigation began in July 2018 following allegations that Chief Supt Martin and Chief Inspector Kandohla had breached Standards of Professional Behaviour as part of Chief Inspector Kandohla’s promotion process.

A further probe was launched in September 2019 after concerns were raised about other breaches of professional standards, including inappropriate behaviour in the workplace and improper financial expenditure.

The breaches all occurred between 2017 and 201 and were uncovered by an inquiry by the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards.

Commander Catherine Roper said: “The behaviour demonstrated by these officers has no place in the Met. It is right they have been subject to a detailed and thorough investigation by the DPS, resulting in a misconduct hearing and the subsequent sanctions.

“Three of the officers were of a leadership rank and should have been setting a strong example for the standards we hold in the Met. Instead they abused their trusted positions; in particular in the way they spoke to and treated more junior members of staff was appalling. This behaviour will not be tolerated by anyone in the Met and we will continue to investigate and hold to account those who act in this manner.”