Sixth Met Police officer sacked after BBC Panorama investigation

A Metropolitan Police sergeant who said a prisoner “deserved to be beaten” has become the sixth police officer at Charing Cross police station to be sacked following a BBC investigation.

Detention sergeant Lawrence Hume was dismissed Friday in an expedited misconduct hearing; At this hearing he was also heard using a derogatory term to describe the detainee.

October’s Panorama program showed police officers calling for immigrants to be shot, enjoying the use of force and dismissing rape allegations.

Major Simon Messenger said Sgt Hume showed “a blatant disregard for the protection of the public and the professional standards expected of a serving police officer”.

Cdr Messenger told the hearing in south London: “It is right that he should be dismissed as we work tirelessly to raise standards and improve the culture across our organisation.”

In a six-minute clip played repeatedly to the panel, Sergeant Hume said of the same prisoner: “Charge him, send him to prison, throw away the key,” adding: “I don’t care, he deserves a beating, doesn’t he?”

The panel chairman, Major Jason Prins, found Sergeant Hume’s conduct amounted to gross misconduct and dismissed him without notice.

Major Prins said the sergeant “could not give a satisfactory answer” as to why he said the prisoner deserved to be beaten.

“He made the comments unsolicited twice,” Major Prins added. “He was in a leadership position responsible for the welfare of detainees.”

The allegation that Sergeant Hume’s comments indicated a clear intention to minimize and not record the levels of force used in custody was found to be unsubstantiated.

On October 28, Sergeant Clayton Robinson dismissed after a panel heard he “trivialized allegations” against a woman during a rape investigation and “taunted the victim” by singing along with another officer.

PC Jason Sinclair-Birt Dismissed on October 24 After a detainee was secretly filmed “bragging about and enjoying the use of force.”

The day before, Sgt Joe McIlvenny, PC Philip Neilson and PC Martin Borg Sacked after allegations of gross misconduct confirmed.

Sergeant McIlvenny was filmed dismissively and making misogynistic comments about a pregnant woman’s allegations of rape and domestic violence against her partner.

PC Neilson was recorded speaking of an “invasion” of “scum” in the Middle East and making offensive comments about people from Algeria and Somalia.

Three other officers – PC Sean Park, PC Brian Sharkey and Sergeant Steve Stamp – will appear at hearings as part of the Met’s fast-track misconduct investigations following broadcast on October 1.

Another allegation against Sergeant Hume, that he did not object or report Sergeant McIlvenny’s remarks after being made aware of them, was also found to be unproven.

Amanda Rowe, director of police watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct, said Sgt Hume’s comments were “unacceptable and completely unprofessional”.

He added: “A panel found the officer breached police standards of professional conduct regarding authority, respect and courtesy, as well as discreditable conduct, and it is right that he should be dismissed from the force.”