Met Police officer who wrote drug technique ‘was by no means sober’, listening to informed

An alleged cannabis-smoking Metropolitan Police commander who wrote the power’s drug technique was “never sober” at dwelling, a misconduct listening to has been informed.

Julian Bennett is alleged to have used the Class B drug on daily basis earlier than breakfast and going to work, the place he was praised by senior colleagues.

Mr Bennett, who has beforehand chaired misconduct hearings and oversaw the dismissal of two officers for drug misuse, additionally allegedly took LSD at a celebration, and magic mushrooms whereas on vacation in France.

He is additional accused of refusing to adjust to a lawful order to supply a pattern for a medication check and of mendacity about why he couldn’t accomplish that.

The senior officer, who joined the Met in 1976 and has been suspended on full pay since July 2021, denies the three allegations stated to have amounted to gross misconduct between 2019 and July 2020. He may face dismissal if they’re confirmed.

A panel on Tuesday heard from senior nursing assistant Sheila Gomes, who lived at Bennett’s flat in the direction of the top of 2019.

“He was never sober at home,” she stated.

“He has to drink and he has to smoke. Julian Bennett was most of the time not sober. He was never sober.”

She additionally claimed he was “in and out” shopping for hashish however didn’t know the place it got here from.

But John Beggs KC, representing Mr Bennett, urged she was a “liar”, a “fantasist” and a “gold digger” who’s on the lookout for cash.

She denied the recommendations however admitted she was at the moment concerned in litigation and had beforehand achieved so in Portugal, the place she was born.

The listening to was informed Mr Bennett’s efficiency was praised by senior officers on the time of the alleged drug taking.

The listening to continues.