Police officer from Brentwood is dismissed for gross misconduct
Kevin Hughes, a police constable in Newham, has been sacked from Met Police for gross misconduct. - Credit: PA Archive/Press Association Ima
A police officer from Brentwood who was cleared in court of making racially offensive comments was sacked yesterday (Thursday) for gross misconduct.
Kevin Hughes, 36, who worked as a police constable in Newham, has always denied using racist comments, but insisted he was discussing evolution with his colleagues. But other officers reported his comments to police bosses.
PC David Hair, 42, was also reported after he was said to have asked a black colleague whether she was going home “to cook bananas”.
Both officers were cleared of racially-aggravated harassment by Westminster Magistrates’ Court in November last year, but the case was subsequently referred to the police watchdog, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).
Following the misconduct hearing yesterday Hughes was dismissed from the Met for gross misconduct in relation to authority, respect and courtesy and discreditable conduct.
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PC Hair was given a final written warning after the panel took into account the opinion of a witness that he did not intend to cause offence.
Commander Allan Gibson, MPS, Directorate of Professional Standards, said: “The Commissioner has made it quite clear that racism is not acceptable within the Met, this is a view supported by the majority of officers and staff, which has been demonstrated by those who were prepared to challenge PC Hughes.
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“The public have an absolute right to expect that officers serving with the MPS treat them and their colleagues with respect and courtesy and that they do not hold discriminatory opinions.
“PC Hughes has now been dismissed from the Metropolitan Police Service.”
