Allegations of sexual assault - Metropolitan Police Service, September 2017

On 17 September 2017 Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) officers arrested a woman and took her to Hounslow police station, arriving at 2.30am. The woman was under the influence of alcohol and was therefore put on rousing checks after being placed in a cell.

A designated detention officer (DDO) entered the woman’s cell at approximately 6am to check on her. The woman told the DDO that another DDO had touched her breasts while carrying out rousing checks earlier. This was brought to the attention of their supervisor. A complaint was recorded and referred to us.

During the investigation, our investigators interviewed the DDO whose conduct was investigated. They also obtained a statement from the woman. They viewed CCTV from the custody suite and enhanced sections of it.

Based on this evidence the Lead Investigator was of the opinion that there was sufficient evidence for a reasonable tribunal, properly directed, to find gross misconduct in respect of the DDO for breaching the standards of professional behaviour.

We also submitted a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for them to consider possible charges common assault, sexual assault, and misconduct in public office.

After reviewing our report, the MPS agreed in January 2018 to refer the DDO to a gross misconduct hearing to answer alleged breaches to the Police Staff Performance and Attendance Standard Operating Procedure. However, as the DDO had just resigned, no disciplinary proceedings could take place.

In summer 2018, the CPS advised that they had charged the former DDO with two counts of sexual assault. In early 2019 the DDO went on trial and was acquitted of both charges.