WIREDGOV

A Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) sergeant has been sacked after he abused his position and made undocumented visits to the home of a vulnerable woman.

PS Neil Nash, 38, was dismissed without notice on Thursday (7 June) after a three day misconduct hearing held by the MPS following an Independent Office for Police Conductinvestigation.

An independent disciplinary panel found that PS Nash, who was based in Plumstead, breached the standards expected of him in relation to authority, respect and courtesy; discreditable conduct and duties and responsibility.

The panel heard that in December 2015 the woman, who is in her 50s, was arrested for a domestic incident. The woman was interviewed at the police station and then received a caution from PS Nash who was a member of custody staff. Later that same day, PS Nash went to the woman’s home address. Two days later PS Nash again returned to her home address. On one of these occasions PS Nash kissed the woman, which she consented to. He then attempted to intimately touch her. The woman said no, moved away and PS Nash apologised. He paid a final, undocumented visit, to the woman’s house in May 2016, sat outside her home in a MPS vehicle, and offered her a lift. 

The woman who was known to be vulnerable complained to the MPS in March 2016 and in April we began our independent investigation. We concluded our investigation in January 2017 and the MPS agreed that PS Nash had a case to answer for gross misconduct.

We made a referral to the Crown Prosecution Service to consider the offence of Misconduct in Public Office who decided not to bring charges.

Regional Director Jonathan Green said:

“Officers are trusted to uphold professional standards of behaviour especially when they come into contact with people who are at their most vulnerable.

“Instead of providing the service expected of a sergeant, PS Nash abused his position of trust, overstepped clear boundaries, and caused psychological harm to this woman.

“Our investigation concluded that PS Nash had a case to answer for gross misconduct, an opinion which was shared by the MPS.  They subsequently arranged for the officer to appear before an independent disciplinary board and I believe the panel were right in their conclusion to strip PS Nash of the privilege of wearing a police uniform.”