PC pleads guilty to misconduct in public office

A serving police officer has pleaded guilty to misconduct in public office following an investigation into the theft of dead man’s money.

PC Craig Carter, 51 – who is attached to the North Area Command Unit – appeared at Wood Green Crown Court on Friday, 26 July where he admitted the offence.

Detective Superintendent Marco Bardetti said: “It is clear from today’s guilty plea that PC Carter knows what he did was wrong and falls well below what any of us would expect from a police officer. The evidence against him could not be denied.

“In September 2022, PC Carter was responsible for looking after a man who had sadly died in the street, as well as taking responsibility for his personal possessions.

“A family, struggling to come to terms with the death of a loved one, should not be put in a position where they have to make a complaint against an officer, suspecting that they have taken money.

“The Met is not an organisation that will tolerate such behaviour.”

On 8 September 2022, PC Carter attended the scene of a non-suspicious death of a 45-year-old man [45-year-old Claudio Gaetani). As part of his duties, he collected the man’s property, including his wallet.

A complaint was received from the man’s family on 6 October 2022 after they collected property and suspected money to be missing.

The Directorate of Professional Standards launched an investigation and examined PC Carter’s body worn video from the scene. It showed him counting approximately £100. When it was booked into the property store, only £6 and a small amount of Euros were inside.

PC Carter was charged in June this year.

Tetteh Turkson, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “The vast majority of police officers are viewed by members of the public as trustworthy, responsible and upstanding members of our society. Carter fell woefully short of these expectations.

“The fact Carter thought he could freely steal from a victim who had sadly passed away is not only disturbing, but deeply disrespectful to the victim's family. Our thoughts remain with them at this time.

“After collaborative work from the CPS and Metropolitan Police Service, Carter was left with no option but to plead guilty and face the consequences of his actions.”

PC Carter was dismissed at the conclusion of a one day Accelerated Misconduct Hearing on Thursday, 15 August. After hearing all the evidence the chair found PC Carter breached the Standards of Professional Behaviour in respect of:

• Discreditable Conduct
• Honesty & Integrity
• Duties & Responsibilities

He will now be placed on the College of Policing barred list meaning he cannot serve as a police officer or in a number of other related roles in the future.