Met Police Officers Face Misconduct Action Over Snapchat Jokes, Assault Allegations
Three Metropolitan Police officers faced misconduct hearings in August 2024, resulting in one dismissal and disciplinary action against two others, following allegations ranging from inappropriate jokes about a rape scene to sexual assault in a nightclub. The cases highlight ongoing concerns about standards of behavior within the force.
PC David long, PC Harry Banks, and PC Sijanta Thapa were subject to scrutiny for their actions, which included sharing offensive content and alleged physical assault. The hearings, details of which have recently been made public, underscore the MetS commitment to addressing misconduct and maintaining public trust.
PC David Long and PC Harry Banks were found to have shared a Snapchat joke referencing a rape scene in August 2023. The pair were responding to images sent by a third officer depicting a staged crime scene. PC Long made a comment about the scene being “a bit of me,” while PC Banks replied with a laughing emoji.The panel found this exchange to be “wholly inappropriate” and a “serious breach of standards of professional behaviour.” PC Long received a final written warning, and PC Banks a written reprimand.
Separately, PC Sijanta Thapa sexually assaulted a female tourist by touching her breasts at Heaven Nightclub in January 2024. Nightclub staff promptly informed authorities, leading to PC Thapa’s arrest. He claimed the woman was ‘acting in a manner that implied consent,’ but the panel rejected this assertion. PC Thapa was dismissed without notice.
In a further case, an unnamed officer was accused of making false claims against a complainant, alleging the individual hadn’t returned his calls or messages without providing evidence. The complainant,an LGBT advisor within the Met,reportedly only challenged the claims due to his position within the force. The officer was dismissed without notice.
