Gross misconduct proven against former officer

A former police officer would have been dismissed from the Metropolitan Police Service after a hearing deemed his actions amounted to gross misconduct.

Former PC Andrew McCarthy, who was attached to Met Operations, was found to have breached the Standards of Professional Behaviour in relation to Discreditable Conduct.

The hearing was presented with evidence that McCarthy – who resigned from the Met in October 2022 – acted inappropriately towards a female officer, including kissing her and following her to her room, after they had been socialising together following work in Gravesend in June 2021.

The legally qualified chair deemed had McCarthy still been a serving police officer he would have been dismissed without notice.

Detective Chief Superintendent Charmain Brenyah: “The behaviour of former PC McCarthy is disgraceful and has no place in the Metropolitan Police. While he took the decision to resign while this investigation was ongoing, his actions have been called out for what they were and he would have been dismissed if still serving.”

PC McCarthy 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.