A City of London Police Constable has been dismissed from the force following a series of sexualised comments and inappropriate behaviour towards female students under his supervision.
PC Mathieu Merenda was found guilty of gross misconduct after an internal disciplinary panel concluded he abused his position of trust by engaging in behaviour that breached the force’s professional standards.
Inappropriate Conduct Uncovered
During the misconduct hearing, it was revealed that PC Merenda made sexualised remarks, including sharing details with colleagues about cheating on his wife, and engaged in inappropriate physical contact. In one reported instance, he stood uncomfortably close behind a young officer and touched her hip, behaviour which was deemed entirely unacceptable in a professional training environment.
Further allegations included sending inappropriate messages to a female trainee, asking whether she wanted to go for a drink, blurring the lines between mentor and subordinate in a manner that undermined trust and professionalism.
Disciplinary Outcome
Following the misconduct hearing, the disciplinary panel ruled that PC Merenda’s behaviour amounted to gross misconduct and was incompatible with continued service in the police force. He has been formally dismissed from the City of London Police, effective immediately.
A spokesperson for the City of London Police said:
“There is no place in our organisation for behaviour that undermines the safety, dignity, and wellbeing of our officers and staff. We are committed to fostering a respectful and inclusive environment, and we take all allegations of inappropriate conduct extremely seriously.”
Maintaining Standards in Policing
The case comes amid ongoing efforts across police forces nationwide to improve workplace culture and hold officers accountable for misconduct. High-profile cases in recent years have prompted renewed scrutiny of police conduct, especially in relation to how female colleagues and the public are treated.
The City of London Police has reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on misconduct and pledged to continue supporting female officers and trainees to ensure a safe and respectful working environment.
Public Confidence and Accountability
The dismissal of PC Merenda sends a strong message about accountability and the importance of upholding the highest standards of integrity in policing. Forces across the UK have faced increasing pressure to rebuild public trust, particularly following a wave of disciplinary proceedings involving officer misconduct.
The City of London Police has encouraged any staff members who experience or witness inappropriate behaviour to report concerns immediately, assuring that all reports will be investigated thoroughly and confidentially.
