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A police officer who lied about the circumstances in which he retrieved handcuffs from a suspect who ran away with them has been dismissed.
PC Robert Powell was on duty with the Met's South East Command Unit in Bexleyheath on 31 December 2019 when officers stopped a vehicle and detained a group as part of a drugs search.
One male was handcuffed but managed to run away.
A short time later, PC Powell was put in contact with the suspect by a member of the public.
He arranged to meet the previously detained male – who was still in possession of the handcuffs – and provided assurances he would not be arrested.
After retrieving the handcuffs in person, PC Powell then made an incorrect radio broadcast stating that a vehicle had driven past without stopping and the handcuffs were thrown out of the window.
His conduct came to light after video footage, which had been shared widely on social media, was sent anonymously to the Met's department for professional standards.
The video showed PC Powell walking towards a car and a man placing his wrist out of the window.
"Anyone who behaves in such a way can have no place in policing."
PC Powell then removed the handcuffs and gave the man a fist-bump.
Yesterday an independent police misconduct hearing heard allegations that his actions breached the standards of honesty and integrity, duties and responsibilities and discreditable conduct.
It found the standards of behaviour for honesty and integrity had been breached but the other two counts were not proven.
PC Powell was dismissed without notice and placed on the barred list preventing him from working with the police service.
The officer was also arrested and interviewed on suspicion of perverting the course of justice.
Criminal charges were considered but upon assessing the evidence the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) concluded a referral to the Crown Prosecution Service was not required.
Independent Office for Police Conduct Regional Director Sal Naseem said: "It is of concern that a Metropolitan Police Service officer lied to colleagues about how he recovered the handcuffs.
"PC Powell’s actions have damaged the reputation of the MPS and eroded the public’s trust and confidence in the police.
"Anyone who behaves in such a way can have no place in policing."
