Detective dismissed without notice after misconduct hearing

A serving officer has been dismissed without notice following an accelerated misconduct hearing.

Detective Constable Andrew Hardy, attached to the Met’s Central Specialist Crime Command, was found to have breached the standards of orders and instructions, honesty and integrity and discreditable conduct at the hearing on Thursday, 30 May.

On 23 March 2023, whilst off duty, DC Hardy drove an unmarked police vehicle without authorisation and was involved in a collision causing damage to multiple vehicles.

Between 1 October 2022 and 19 March 2023, DC Hardy drove a police vehicle whilst off duty on 240 occasions, travelling a total of 3883.7 miles. He was not authorised to use the vehicle, and materially gained from doing so.

Between 1 March 2023 and 23 March 2023, DC Hardy drove at excessive speeds whilst using a police vehicle off duty. He was not authorised to use the vehicle, nor did he have a policing purpose to use the vehicle and drive in such a manner.

He also failed to keep a proper record of your journeys in the log book assigned to the police vehicle.

The Met's Directorate of Professional Standards was informed and an investigation was launched.

DC Hardy was placed on restricted duties.

Commander Stephen Clayman leading the Specialist Crime Command said: "DC Hardy made personal use of a vehicle that was meant for use in the pursuit of policing operations and public safety.

“His actions fall far below the high standard that the public expect from us. He has let down his colleagues and it is completely unacceptable that he damaged the property of others through his reckless actions.

"He has rightly been held to account for his behaviour and dismissed without notice."

He will now be added to the Barred List held by the College of Policing. Those appearing on the list cannot be employed by police, local policing bodies (PCCs), the Independent Office for Police Conduct or His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services.