Two more officers dismissed over Charing Cross conduct

Two officers have been dismissed without notice for glorifying use of force against detainees at Charing Cross police station.

Accelerated misconduct hearings found allegations proven against PC Kheava Gould-Ryan and PC Fernando Santos Dos Santos, both attached to Central West Command Unit.

A hearing heard how PC Gould-Ryan made comments that trivialised use of force on detainees. He condoned the use of unreasonable force and said it would be ‘funny’ to see a juvenile sprayed with PAVA in custody.

PC Santos Dos Santos made derogatory comments about a victim he had dealt with and members of the public in mental health crisis. He also glorified shouting and swearing at members of the public and use of force, saying “you can always justify it”. He praised a colleague’s use of force against a detainee, saying he ”just wanted to laugh”.

The behaviour of the two officers was caught on camera by the BBC filming Panorama – Undercover in the Police. Although not featured in the broadcast in October, extra unaired footage was later shared with the Independent Office for Police Conduct, whose investigation into the behaviour of a number of officers at Charing Cross continues.

Commander Simon Messinger, Professionalism, said: “It was important all the footage taken by the BBC was examined to identify any misconduct not shown on the programme. That enabled us to swiftly suspend and now hold to account these two officers for their appalling and inappropriate comments.

“Ten serving officers have now been dismissed for their unacceptable conduct at Charing Cross and we continue to support the ongoing IOPC investigation.

“Our own work continues at pace to raise standards and address the cultural issues in the Met that created an environment where these awful views could be seen as acceptable behaviour.”

The hearings were held on Tuesday, 23 June and Wednesday, 24 June. Both officers were found to have breached standards of professional behaviour in relation to authority, respect and courtesy, and discreditable conduct.

They will be added to the College of Policing’s barred list to prevent them re-joining policing or working for a number of other police-related bodies.