Misconduct hearing concludes officer would have been dismissed if still serving

A former police officer would have been dismissed had he still been serving after a misconduct hearing found that he breached regulations during a debrief with a teenager who had been reported missing.

After a two-day hearing, which concluded on Thursday, 9 May, the panel found that former PC Andrew Gatt, who was attached to the West Area Command Unit, had breached the standards of professional behaviour in regard to use of force and discreditable conduct.

It had been alleged that in October 2022, during the visit to the address of a teenage girl who had returned home after a period of being reported missing, former PC Gatt struck the girl while attempting to obtain her mobile phone.

Chief Superintendent Sean Wilson, said: “PC Gatt’s actions towards this young girl were entirely inappropriate and certainly not what we would expect when dealing with someone who may be vulnerable.

“No police officer should use force inappropriately and the conclusion of the panel who wholly justified. Had he still been a serving police officer, he would have been dismissed.”

Former PC Andrew Gatt resigned from the Met in May 2024.

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.