Two Cops Charged Over Shocking Crime Scene Photo Scandal
The Crown Prosecution Service has charged two police officers from the North East Command with misconduct in public office. PC Deniz Jaffer, 47, and PC Jamie Lewis, 32, face their first hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 27 May.
Both officers were suspended following their arrest in June. The case involves disturbing claims of inappropriate and non-official photographs taken at the crime scene where Bibaa Henry and Nicole Smallman were brutally murdered in Fryent Country Park, Wembley, on 6 June.
Investigation Uncovers Police Misconduct at High-Profile Murder Scene
The Metropolitan Police Service’s Directorate of Professional Standards (DPS) was alerted on 17 June 2020 after allegations surfaced about improper photos taken by officers. The MPS referred the case to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which launched an independent probe.
Two officers were arrested by the IOPC on 22 June on suspicion of misconduct. They were later released under investigation, but the CPS has now formally charged both.
Senior Police Praise IOPC, Call for Respect to Judicial Process
“These are extremely serious charges and we thank the IOPC for their efforts to get to this point,” said Commander Paul Betts of the DPS. “Our thoughts go out to the families of Bibaa and Nicole, as we recognise the renewed distress and pain this development will bring.”
“We know the public will share our outrage, but I would ask that space is now given to allow the judicial process to run its proper course,” he added.
Met Police Take Action to Restore Trust and Ethics
Following the scandal, the MPS reminded all officers in the North East Command about the strict Code of Ethics, especially regarding social media use. Senior management urged officers to report any inappropriate conduct immediately.
The IOPC made two urgent recommendations: first, that all officers must uphold ethical behaviour on and off duty to maintain public confidence; second, that supervisors take active responsibility to spot and stop any patterns of misconduct while fostering a culture of accountability.
Most recommendations have been quickly implemented across the command, with ongoing efforts by senior officers to ensure full compliance. These changes are closely monitored by the DPS’s prevention and learning team.
