02 May 2023 , 15:32
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A high-ranking Scotland Yard officer was able to keep his job after being found regularly soliciting "high-class" prostitutes, it was reported.
The man, who is said to be on a salary of more than £100,000 a year, was given "words of advice" and escaped sacking by the misconduct board, it was reported.
In 2019, it was alleged he was found to be paying hundreds of pounds for sex while working in an important command position in the capital.
An investigation into unrelated allegations, which were later dropped, uncovered the reported habit.
However, it was said he was given "words of advice", kept his job and his conduct was never made public.
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The claims have now come to light after a whistleblower told the Daily Mail amid concerns that junior officers were sacked for similar actions.
The man, who is said to be on a salary of more than £100,000 a year, was given 'words of advice', it was reported (Getty Images/iStockphoto)One told the Mail: "It was all kept incredibly tight. It appeared to be a clear case of gross misconduct and should have gone to a hearing where details would have gone on the Met’s website.
"By using the services of sex workers, the senior officer was potentially exploiting vulnerable women, who we are supposed to protect, and leaving himself open to possible bribery attempts."
Another whistle-blower added: "What this officer did was morally repugnant. He was using high-class prostitutes. It was a pattern of behaviour. The way this was handled is another indictment of Cressida Dick’s regime."
Last year, a junior officer with Avon and Somerset Police was sacked for using a sex worker with links to organised crime.
Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset, Sarah Crew, said in a statement at the time: "We in policing know that sex workers are often vulnerable victims of exploitation, control and physical and sexual violence. Our role as police officers is to work with partner agencies to try to keep vulnerable people safe and signpost to support services."
She added: "The public will be shocked to hear of a police officer paying for sexual services. It is wholly unacceptable. Our communities understand that the police should be protecting women and vulnerable people, and that the officer’s integrity could be compromised.
“There is no place for such behaviour in Avon & Somerset Police. The conduct is so serious and so injurious to public confidence in the police service that nothing less than dismissal without notice can suffice.”
A Met Police spokesperson told the Mirror they would not comment on the specifics of the Mail report.
In a statement, they said: "The Met expects the highest standards. Officers must not behave in a way that will discredit the police and undermine the public’s confidence in us.
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"Police play a key role in protecting sex workers, both men and women, from physical and sexual violence, coercion, control and exploitation.
"Alongside work being undertaken on a national level, the Met is finalising expectations of our workforce in this area."