A Metropolitan Police officer stationed at the controversial Charing Cross police station has been dismissed from duty for inappropriately touching a woman while intoxicated at a pub.
Jason Capery, 34, was reported to have unlawfully grabbed the woman’s buttocks, causing her significant distress, according to Westminster magistrates’ court. Capery received a 12-month community order recently and was found to have violated professional conduct standards during a misconduct hearing, leading to his dismissal.
Detective Chief Superintendent Christina Jessah, responsible for policing in central west London, emphasized that PC Capery’s actions were unacceptable for a police officer. She stressed the importance of maintaining high standards to ensure the safety of women in London and eliminate inappropriate behavior within the Metropolitan Police Force.
Capery was stationed at Charing Cross police station, where officers were captured in an undercover BBC operation making derogatory remarks about migrants and expressing discriminatory views towards Muslims. The former Met commissioner, Dame Cressida Dick, resigned in 2022 following revelations of officers at the same station engaging in inappropriate conversations about sexual assault and violence.
During Capery’s sentencing hearing, the victim described feeling uncomfortable and anxious in her workplace following the incident. She highlighted the emotional distress caused by Capery’s actions and emphasized his failure to uphold his oath as a law enforcement officer.
At court, Capery, accompanied by his fiancée and colleagues, received a community order with rehabilitation activities and unpaid work. The judge condemned Capery’s behavior as utterly unacceptable, emphasizing the severity of his actions as a serving police officer. The judge acknowledged the long-lasting impact of the conviction on Capery’s reputation and future prospects for rehabilitation.
In light of the recent events, it is evident that maintaining professionalism and upholding ethical standards within law enforcement agencies is crucial to ensuring public trust and safety.