A Metropolitan police officer has been given a final written warning after appearing on the Nigerian version of Big Brother without permission.
A misconduct hearing found that PC Khafilat Kareem had breached the standards of professional behaviour in relation to “orders and instructions” and “discreditable conduct”, so a final written warning should be given after gross misconduct was proven.
Kareem had requested unpaid leave to appear on the show in July 2019, and although permission for the leave was granted, she was not given permission to appear on the show.
Shortly after the unpaid leave was granted, Kareem left the UK and took her work laptop with her without permission. When she appeared on the show, she surrendered her laptop to the show’s organisers.
The panel, led by an independent legally qualified chair, found that Kareem had breached the standards of professional behaviour.
DCS Andy Day said: “Permission was refused for PC Kareem to appear on the Nigerian version of Big Brother as it was felt it was not in the best interest for either her or the Metropolitan police service to take part. Despite this refusal, she went on the show anyway.
“A detailed investigation was carried out by the Met’s directorate of professional standards which concluded Kareem should face gross misconduct proceedings.
“Being a police officer means you must abide by the standards of professional behaviour. PC Kareem’s behaviour clearly fell far short and she has been given a final written warning.”
The panel found this breach of professional standards, relating to the laptop, proven at the level of misconduct.
Africa Magic, the TV company behind Big Brother Naija, said she had joined the show “so that she can do societal good”.
A profile of Kareem on the broadcaster’s website said she would spend the prize money that was worth 30m naira (£68,000) to host a travel show touring Nigeria’s “beauty spots” and “invest in charitable causes”. Kareem was in the Big Brother house for 77 days before being voted out.
