Senior Met Commander Sacked After Refusing Drugs Test – Five Years of Delay Sparks Fury
A top Metropolitan Police officer has finally been fired for gross misconduct after refusing a drugs test in 2020. The case dragged through a lengthy disciplinary process lasting nearly five years, drawing heavy criticism for delays and the hefty cost to the public.
Commander Julian Bennett Dismissed Over Drugs Test Refusal
Commander Julian Bennett was first dismissed in October 2023 by an independent panel after he failed to provide a urine sample on July 21, 2020, despite reasonable suspicion he had taken drugs. He was suspended just four days later.
The panel upheld the central allegation—refusing the drugs test—but cleared Bennett of related claims that he smoked cannabis off-duty or lied about his refusal. Bennett appealed, with the case moving to the Police Appeals Tribunal (PAT), overseen by the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime.
Appeal Quashes Dismissal, But Second Hearing Reinstates It
In July 2024, the PAT overturned Bennett’s dismissal, ruling the original panel had addressed issues beyond the initial allegations. They ordered a fresh hearing, during which Bennett remained suspended.
The second misconduct panel reaffirmed the gross misconduct finding. Bennett was formally dismissed and added to the Barred List held by the College of Policing, banning him from future police work.
Met Boss Slams “Utter Waste” of Public Money
Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist criticised the saga’s drawn-out timeline and public expense.
“I am enormously concerned that almost five years since this incident happened we have only now been able to dismiss Commander Bennett,” said AC Twist. “This should have been a simple matter. Commander Bennett has never disputed he refused a lawful order to take a drugs test. As a senior officer who had chaired misconduct hearings, he was well aware of his duties yet chose not to cooperate.”
Twist also highlighted that Bennett received full pay throughout his suspension, a fact likely to anger taxpayers.
“I am sure Londoners will be as outraged as we are at the utter waste of public funds spent paying a senior officer to sit at home suspended and not working.”
The Metropolitan Police acknowledged the lengthy process but stressed the force was “not responsible for all the delays.”
