London PC caught in shocking misconduct scandal after targeting lone woman
PC Imran Aftab found guilty but avoids immediate dismissal
PC Imran Aftab, a central London officer, faced a public misconduct hearing on 19 May 2021. An independent panel found him guilty of gross misconduct following investigations by the British Transport Police’s Professional Standards Department and the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
Despite the severity, Aftab was handed a final written warning instead of being sacked – a decision that sparked outrage.
BTP fights back, demanding harsher punishment
The British Transport Police (BTP) immediately challenged the lenient ruling. They launched legal action, pushing for a judicial review in the High Court to override the panel’s decision.
The police argued that Aftab was “a victim of the times we are now living in today,” but the judge was having none of it.
Judge slams officer’s “prejudiced racial stereotyping” and “sexualised language”
The judge blasted Aftab’s behaviour as “completely unforgivable.” He ruled there was “only one rational and reasonable disciplinary outcome” and agreed with BTP’s tough stance.
“Using a warrant card to influence a lone woman for an officer’s sexual gain is a total abuse of police powers,” the judge said. “It seriously undermines public confidence, destroying the very fabric of policing by consent.”
The judge expressed horror that the woman felt so threatened she had to text a friend for help.
Zero tolerance for police abusing power
The case highlights a national concern over the conduct of male officers towards lone women. The judge insisted that Aftab’s actions were a deliberate choice to use racial stereotypes and sexual advances.
BTP vowed to “root out those who corrupt our integrity” and welcomed the court’s decision to back their demand for stronger punishment.
