A Metropolitan Police Service Officer, Shola Balogun, has been dismissed from his post at Bromley Police Station following allegations of assault, including biting a colleague at a birthday party in Bexleyheath, Kent. The incident occurred on April 22, 2022, and was investigated by a panel led by Senior Officer Christopher McKay.
According to reports, the party was attended by 70 guests, including colleagues from Balogun’s work team, ERT C, which was based at Bromley Police Station. Balogun and the victim, whose name has not been disclosed, were the only two officers present aside from the celebrant, a fellow officer.
The incident began with friendly interactions between the two officers, but things took a turn for the worse when they got into an argument. The victim claimed that Balogun grabbed his glasses off his face, pushed him, and then bit him on the right side of his face. Balogun, on the other hand, disputed these allegations, claiming that he had only accidentally knocked off the glasses and denied any involvement in the alleged push or bite.
Medical records later confirmed evidence of a bite, and the panel found Balogun’s actions to be a breach of the standard of discreditable conduct. The Code of Ethics states that police officers must maintain the highest standards of behavior and keep in mind that the public expects officers to act in a manner that does not bring discredit to the service or undermine public confidence in policing.
The panel considered Balogun’s prior disciplinary history as a mitigating factor, but ultimately decided that his actions warranted dismissal without notice, citing the seriousness of the offense. As Lord Justice Maurice Kay noted, “public confidence remains paramount,” and despite a positive character reference from his line manager, Balogun’s actions were deemed unacceptable and discreditable.
This decision highlights the importance of upholding the highest standards of behavior for law enforcement officers. While a exemplary record can be seen as a mitigating factor, it does not excuse unacceptable behavior that brings discredit to the service or undermines public trust. The Metropolitan Police Service takes incidents like this seriously to maintain the public’s confidence in the police and to ensure that officers act with integrity and fairness.
