Met Police dismiss officer for sending explicit messages to 16-year-old in Barnet
The officer, referred to as 'Officer X', was barred from policing after a misconduct hearing found gross misconduct
Incident → evidence → outcomeA Metropolitan Police officer has been sacked and barred from policing after a misconduct hearing found he sent explicit messages to a 16-year-old boy in Barnet. The officer, identified only as 'Officer X' during proceedings, exchanged sexualised messages with the child on the app Kik in April 2023.
The National Crime Agency (NCA) first identified the victim as at risk of online child exploitation after Kik flagged the exchange of sexualised images. The NCA accessed the officer’s messages, which included discussions about meeting the boy at a hotel and an image of the officer’s penis sent after he received an explicit photo of the child.
Hearing finds gross misconduct
The misconduct hearing, chaired by former police commander Katie Lilburn, concluded that the officer’s actions amounted to gross misconduct. Lilburn ruled that the officer should be dismissed without notice and placed on the College of Policing’s public barred list, preventing him from working in policing again.
“The sanction I impose is dismissal without notice and that Officer X be placed on the College of Policing’s public barred list.”
Name withheld despite dismissal
The Met Police confirmed that the officer’s name would not be disclosed, citing a decision made by Lilburn. A spokesperson told MyLondon that the chair may have considered factors such as the officer’s private and family life, welfare, safety, and the fairness of proceedings when deciding against naming him.
The force did not provide specific reasons for the non-disclosure. The spokesperson added that the decision could also involve protecting the interests of justice and ensuring the proper conduct of the hearing.
What happens next
The officer remains barred from policing under the College of Policing’s barred list. The Met Police has not indicated whether further criminal proceedings will follow. Residents with concerns about online safety or child exploitation can report incidents to the NCA or local police.
Questions this report answers
01What did the Met Police officer do?
The officer sent explicit messages and an image of his penis to a 16-year-old boy on the app Kik in April 2023. He also discussed meeting the child at a hotel and received an explicit photo from him. The National Crime Agency flagged the victim as at risk of exploitation.
02Why wasn’t the officer’s name released?
The misconduct hearing chair, Katie Lilburn, decided not to disclose the officer’s name. The Met Police cited factors such as privacy, welfare, fairness of proceedings, and the interests of justice as potential reasons for the decision, though specific details were not provided.
03What happens to the officer now?
The officer was dismissed without notice and placed on the College of Policing’s public barred list, preventing him from working in policing again. The Met Police has not confirmed whether further criminal action will be taken.
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