A misconduct hearing has resulted in the dismissal of Police Constable Stephen Cotgreave, a member of the Royalty and Specialist Protection (RaSP) team, following an incident involving the loss of ammunition while on duty at Buckingham Palace.
Incident Summary
The misconduct hearing addressed allegations that on 6 December 2022, PC Cotgreave dropped the magazine from his police-issued firearm while patrolling the grounds of Buckingham Palace. After retrieving and replacing the magazine, PC Cotgreave later returned the firearm to the armoury, where it was discovered that one round of ammunition was missing.
When questioned about the missing round, PC Cotgreave denied dropping the magazine and stated that he had no explanation for the lost ammunition. However, CCTV footage later confirmed the incident and revealed how the ammunition was lost.
Misconduct Hearing
The hearing, held on Monday, 18 November 2024, at the Empress State Building in London, determined that PC Cotgreave’s actions breached the Standards of Professional Behaviour, specifically relating to Honesty and Integrity. It concluded that his conduct amounted to gross misconduct, a finding severe enough to justify his dismissal.
The misconduct panel found that PC Cotgreave’s dishonesty during the investigation undermined the high standards expected of officers in his role, particularly given the sensitive and high-security nature of his work within Royalty and Specialist Protection.
Outcome
PC Cotgreave was dismissed from the Metropolitan Police without notice.
Official Statement
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police stated:
“The integrity of our officers is paramount, particularly in roles that demand the highest levels of trust and accountability. This outcome reflects the seriousness with which we treat any breaches of honesty and integrity within the organisation.”
The dismissal underscores the importance of transparency and adherence to professional standards within the police force, especially in roles involving the protection of high-profile individuals and sensitive locations.
