Officer dismissed following misconduct hearing

An officer has been dismissed from the Metropolitan Police Service after a misconduct hearing found he lied about an incident where a member of the public was arrested, and had force used on him.

PC Martin Binala, attached to the West Area Basic Command Unit, was found to have breached the Standards of Professional Behaviour in respect of:

- Honesty and Integrity;
- Authority, Respect and Courtesy;
- Use of force;
- Duties and Responsibilities.

PC Stuart Dunne, also attached to the West Area Basic Command Unit, was found to have committed misconduct and received a written warning.

The hearing, which concluded on Thursday, 4 January, was presented with evidence that on 12 September 2021, both officers were on plain-clothed patrol in Albion Road, Hounslow when they saw a parked car with a male occupant inside.

PC Binala approached the car and a struggle broke out with the occupant; he was joined by PC Dunne and they used excessive force, including Pava spray and handcuffs to detain the man.

Chief Superintendent Sean Wilson, of the West Area Basic Command Unit, said: “The public rightly expects the highest standards of the Met’s officers but the actions of PCs Binala and Dunne have fallen short of this mark.

“The Commissioner has been clear that officers who do not meet these standards have no place in the Met. We will continue to ensure those whose actions erode the trust of the public, a trust that the vast majority of officers strive to maintain, can no longer serve with the Met.”

Binala will 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.