The Metropolitan Police Service has terminated the employment of Shola Balogun, a Nigerian-British officer stationed at Bromley Police Station, following an incident where he bit a colleague during a birthday celebration in Bexleyheath, Kent.
This decision came after a disciplinary hearing held from October 21 to 23, 2024, led by a senior officer, Christopher McKay, along with panel members IPM Amanda Harvey and Detective Superintendent Kirsty Mead.
The incident occurred at a 40th birthday party attended by around 70 guests at Goals Sports Bar on April 22, 2022. Balogun and the unnamed colleague, both stationed at Bromley, reportedly had a history of friendly interactions, but the night turned contentious. According to the victim, Balogun unexpectedly snatched his glasses and, when confronted, pushed him and subsequently bit his face.
Balogun disputed this account, claiming the glasses were knocked off unintentionally and denying any assault. However, medical evidence confirmed the bite. The hearing disclosed that Balogun’s actions were deemed discreditable, undermining public trust in the police force.
The findings in the document read: “The Regulation 30 Notice alleges that by acting in the way described PC Balogun brought discredit to the police service and undermined public trust in the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS). This is alleged to have been a breach of the standard of Discreditable Conduct.
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“Discreditable Conduct is explained in the College of Policing Code of Ethics as not behaving in a manner, whether on or off duty, which brings discredit to the police service or undermines public confidence in policing. This is further explained as being a requirement that police officers must keep in mind at all times that the public expects police officers to maintain the highest standards of behaviour. Police officers are instructed to always think about how a member of the public may regard their behaviour, whether on or off duty. The Panel is satisfied that PC Balogun breached this standard by biting the victim. Assaulting a fellow officer is clearly unacceptable and discreditable behaviour.
Despite positive testimonials regarding his character from past supervisors, the panel noted his previous disciplinary issues. They concluded that the severity of the assault warranted immediate dismissal without notice.
“In the present case, PC Balogun does not have an unblemished past and the previous misconduct proved against him is serious. In the present case, he committed a deliberate assault on a colleague without any explanation or justification. He humiliated PC Final Written Warning is not appropriate in this case. The only appropriate and proportionate outcome in this case is Dismissal Without Notice,” the document added.”
In the panel’s findings, they emphasized the necessity for police officers to uphold the highest standards of conduct, both on and off duty.
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