Met Police Cdr ‘took LSD, magic mushrooms and smoked pot earlier than breakfast

A senior Metropolitan Police officer who wrote the drive’s anti-drugs technique “was never sober at home”, smoked hashish earlier than breakfast and work – and took the psychedelic ‘Class A’ drug LSD and magic mushrooms – a tribunal has heard.

Commander Julian Bennett, who has served within the drive since 1976, was additionally alleged to have failed to supply a urine pattern for drug testing and lied about why he had not accomplished so. The Tribunal heard claims that Bennett took LSD, often known as ‘acid’, at a celebration and magic mushrooms whereas on vacation in France.

A nurse who used to stay at Bennett’s flat additionally accused him of smoking hashish earlier than going to work with the Met Police, the place he can be praised by senior colleagues. The officer, who’s dealing with gross misconduct tribunal, denies the allegations.

However, Sheila Gomes – a nurse who lived with the officer between October and December 2019 – claims the officer was “never sober”. She additionally claimed he was “in and out” shopping for hashish, however she didn’t know the place it got here from.

In a textual content to a buddy, she claimed he may very well be “part of a small mafia or bribed by a dealer, or be a big dealer, or he is a big dealer.” But John Beggs KC, representing Mr Bennett, advised the listening to Gomex is a “gold digger” and “serial litigator” who needs cash.

Following an trade in regards to the officer being praised at work, he advised her: “You are a liar.” She replied: “I am not.”

He requested: “Or a fantasist?” She replied: “I am not.”

He stated: “You are just making it up as you go along?” She stated: “I didn’t.”

He stated: “You are hoping this would be another bit of litigation or a book you can write to make money.” She replied: “I asked the previous chair and I told this one that I wanted to be anonymous. That would be very strange if I want to be anonymous that I would write a book.”

She later claimed references to writing a e book had been jokes she shared with a buddy after she had discovered he had drawn up an anti-drugs technique.

Beggs KC stated: “I am suggesting you are a gold digger; you are looking for money.” She replied: “No.”

He stated: “You do sue people.” She replied: “I don’t sue people.”

He requested: “You are currently involved in a litigation. It is not a matter of confidentiality that you are currently litigating.” She replied: “I am.”

He requested if she had beforehand litigated, and she or he replied that she had accomplished so in Portugal, the place she was born. She was additionally stated to have used “racist, homophobic and vulgar” language, together with derogatory references to black sufferers on the hospital the place she labored, which Mr Beggs advised pointed to her “nasty” character.

The listening to was advised Mr Bennett was praised for his efficiency by senior officers on the time and shortly after.

A former assistant commissioner had thanked him for a report on the launched beneath investigation process which Mr Beggs stated had “quite complicated statistical analysis” a few month earlier than Ms Gomes moved in.

In April 2020, the then deputy commissioner and deputy assistant commissioner expressed “personal appreciation” for his work.

On April 28, deputy commissioner Sir Stephen House stated he had proven “determination and real focus in leading many improvements in the criminal justice portfolio”.

Dame Cressida Dick, the then commissioner, praised him at work on the time of the alleged drug-taking, an earlier listening to was advised.

Mr Bennett wrote the drive’s medicine technique for 2017-21 as a commander for territorial policing. The doc, known as Dealing With The Impact Of Drugs On Communities, arrange plans to lift “awareness of the impact of drug misuse”.

Freedom of data requests confirmed Mr Bennett presided over 74 police misconduct hearings involving 90 officers between June 2010 and February 2012. Out of the hearings involving Mr Bennett, 56 officers had been dismissed – greater than three quarters.

He chaired 69 hearings throughout that point and two officers had been dismissed for medicine misuse, the figures confirmed. Mr Bennett is accused of breaching the drive’s skilled requirements for discreditable conduct thrice, honesty and integrity twice and orders and directions as soon as.

His actions are alleged to have amounted to gross misconduct. He denies the allegations and has been suspended on full pay since July 2021. The tribunal continues.