A Metropolitan Police officer, PC Connor Harris, has been issued a written warning after engaging in inappropriate behaviour while under the influence of alcohol during a night out with colleagues. The incident took place in November 2021 at Putt Shack, a golf and drinking venue.
During a misconduct hearing, it was revealed that PC Harris had started drinking at 4 pm and, by 7 pm, considered himself to be in an “obliterated” state due to excessive alcohol consumption.
The misconduct panel described PC Harris’s level of intoxication as severe, causing him to lose control of his faculties and behave irresponsibly. According to statements made during the hearing, his behaviour was likened to that of a toddler by one of his colleagues, Officer B.
While intoxicated, PC Harris exhibited overly friendly behaviour towards female colleagues, including kissing them on the cheek and, more alarmingly, groping two of them.
PC Harris admitted that he could not recall his actions that night and had very little recollection of the events. He expressed no doubts about the accuracy of his colleagues’ testimonies.
The panel’s verdict stated, “We’ve found that PC Harris’ actions in becoming intoxicated were self-induced and demonstrated an abject lack of judgment, which resulted in wholly unacceptable and inappropriate conduct towards female colleagues. However, we also found that his actions and conduct were not pre-meditated or planned. It was clear to the panel that he has reflected on his behaviour and has taken positive steps to address it. PC Harris was very apologetic and apologised to the officers and colleagues.”
As a result of the hearing, PC Harris has been issued a five-year written warning. This decision serves as a disciplinary measure for his misconduct during the incident.
