Two more officers dismissed over Charing Cross conduct

Two more Charing Cross officers have been dismissed from the Met for their inappropriate conduct.

It brings the total of serving Met officers who have now lost their jobs to 13 since an investigation was launched by the Independent Office for Police Conduct in October, linked to BBC Panorama - Undercover in the Police.

A hearing for PC Mason O’Connor, attached to Central West Command Unit, was held on Tuesday, 15 September following allegations that while off-duty in a pub on October 2024 he said to a female colleague: “I hope you get raped on your way to Waterloo”.

The matter was reported after Panorama aired as part of a proactive wider investigation into any other concerns about officer conduct at Charing Cross.

The hearing found the allegation proven and that PC O’Conner breached standards of professional behaviour for authority, respect and courtesy, equality and diversity, and discreditable conduct.

Allegations were also proven for PC Lloyd Hunter, attached to Central West Command Unit, at a hearing on Wednesday 27 August. During an off-duty drink in November 2024 he made comments that trivialised the use of force, suggested that he would enjoy using force on members of the public and that he “hated” homeless people.

PC Hunter’s comments were caught on camera by the BBC. Although not featured in the broadcast, extra unaired footage was later shared with the IOPC whose investigation into the behaviour of a number of officers at Charing Cross continues.

PC Hunter was found to have breached standards of professional behaviour for authority, respect and courtesy, equality and diversity, and discreditable conduct.

Commander Simon Messinger, Professionalism, said: “Two more officers have now been dismissed for their appalling comments and attitudes.

“I hope this sends a very clear message about the standards we expect from all our officers and the Met’s determination to improve our culture across the organisation.

“We continue to support the ongoing IOPC investigation.”

Both officers 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.