On Thursday, 9 March, a trainee detective constable, Christopher Brown, was sentenced to a 12-month community order at Southwark Crown Court, after pleading guilty to one count of sexual assault. This came after he was charged following an investigation that started on 21 November 2022. Brown had been accused of sexually assaulting a female colleague while off-duty at a bar in London, according to a report received by the police on 9 December 2021.
Chief Superintendent Andy Carter, the local policing commander for the Central North Basic Command Unit, expressed that Brown’s actions were unacceptable and undermined the honest majority of officers who are dedicated to protecting the public. It was decided that Brown be swiftly dismissed from the Metropolitan Police following the conclusion of court proceedings. The hope is that this outcome demonstrates to the community that the police force is committed to winning back their trust.
As a result of his conviction, Brown will now be added to the Barred List held by the College of Policing. The list contains the names of individuals who are barred from being employed by the police, local policing bodies, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, or His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services. This serves as a clear example of the consequences of discreditable conduct within the police force.
In sentencing Brown, the court ordered him to complete 40 hours on a rehabilitation programme and 200 hours of unpaid work. Additionally, he was ordered to pay £580 in costs. It is crucial for police officers to maintain the highest standards of professional behaviour, and any form of discreditable conduct is taken seriously and dealt with accordingly.
The incident involving Christopher Brown highlights the importance of police officers maintaining a high level of professionalism and conduct at all times, even when they are off-duty. The trust of the community is paramount, and it is the responsibility of all police officers to uphold that trust.
To ensure that police officers uphold the highest professional standards, it’s crucial to hold them accountable for their actions. In this case, swift action was taken by the police force to remove Brown from his position and add him to the Barred List, sending a clear message that discreditable conduct is not acceptable. By maintaining these high standards, the police force can work towards winning back the trust of the community they serve.
