Chief inspector dismissed for gross misconduct

A Met officer has been dismissed for driving police cars without adequate training and misrepresenting his qualifications and experience.

A disciplinary hearing, which concluded on Monday, 23 February, found proven three allegations against Chief Inspector Andrew Du, based at Central North Command Unit.

On more than one occasion he drove a marked police car at excessive speed and activated the vehicle's blue lights and sirens without having the required training or authorisation, putting members of the public and other police officers at risk.

He also misrepresented his driving qualifications to his colleagues and managers by saying he was qualified to drive an area car - a high-performance police car - when he only had basic driver status, preventing him from driving on blue lights or at excess speed.

Ch Insp Du also told his colleagues and managers that he had previously been posted to the Met's firearms command. He had never served in that team in any capacity.

Chief Superintendent Jason Stewart, who leads policing in Central North area, said:

"Chief Inspector Du's actions fell far below the standard people rightly expect from Met officers.

"Londoners need to be able to trust that officers are qualified to carry out their roles safely and in accordance with training. Leaders in the Met must uphold the highest standards and lead by example.

Ch Insp Du was found to have breached police standards of professional behaviour relating to honesty and integrity, orders and instructions, and discreditable conduct.

It amounted to gross misconduct and was so serious as to justify his immediate dismissal.

He will be placed on the barred list held by the College of Policing. Those appearing on the list cannot be employed by police, and a number of other policing related bodies.