Scotland Yard, the Met Police HQ
(Picture: PA)A Met Police commander who wrote the force’s drugs strategy took cannabis, LSD and magic mushrooms while on holiday in France, a misconduct hearing was told.
Commander Julian Bennett, who was allegedly nicknamed ‘sacker’ because of the misconduct hearings he has overseen, could face the sack himself if the allegations are proven.
The senior Met officer is also accused of refusing to provide a drug sample after being told that he was suspected of using cannabis in July 2020, reports the Telegraph. The drug taking was said to have taken place while on holiday.
The officer, who has more that 43 years of service, allegedly claimed he had taken medical CBD to help treat facial palsy, something the hearing was told he "knew to be untrue".
He was suspended on full pay in July last year pending an investigation by Scotland Yard’s directorate of professional standards, before the police watchdog ordered a gross misconduct hearing.
Mr Bennett had been due to face the disciplinary hearing on Monday, but the case was adjourned until May after his lawyers said they needed more time to prepare.
The panel was told Mr Bennett had been accused of taking the drugs between February 2019 and July 21, 2020, while off-duty.
While commander in charge of territorial policing between 2017 and 2021, the senior officer wrote the Met’s drug strategy which set out plans to raise "awareness of the dangers of drug misuse".
According to reports, the hearing was told that a photograph sent on WhatsApp that allegedly showed cannabis on a table was among the evidence that would be heard in the case.
However, his lawyers told the panel they had not yet seen texts and social media messages they had requested from one of the witnesses, while counsel acting for the Met Police insisted it had all been turned over.
John Beggs, defending said: "Although we are all committed to getting this hearing on the way in the public interest, in the interest of the Metropolitan Police Service and in the interest of Mr Bennett, fairness must trump disposition."
He suggested that the witness may have “cherry picked” the messages that were disclosed.
James Tumbridge, the independent chairman of the disciplinary panel, said he would adjourn until May 23. The hearing is set to last for five days.
According to the Guardian, a freedom of information request revealed that Mr Bennett presided over 74 misconduct hearings, involving 90 officers, between June 2010 and February 2012. Of those hearings, 56 officers were dismissed.
