UK Police Dismiss Nigerian-British Officer For ‘Biting’ Colleague

UK Police Dismiss Nigerian-British Officer for Allegedly ‘Biting’ Colleague. The UK Metropolitan Police Service has dismissed Nigerian-British officer Shola Balogun of Bromley Police Station for allegedly biting a fellow officer during a birthday party in Bexleyheath, Kent. The incident was discussed in a hearing held from October 21-23, 2024, chaired by senior officer Christopher McKay, with IPM Amanda Harvey and Assessor-Detective Superintendent Kirsty Mead on the panel.According to the hearing documents obtained by our correspondent, Balogun, a Police Constable, attended a colleague’s 40th birthday celebration at Goals Sports Bar alongside approximately 70 guests, with Balogun and the alleged victim being the only officers from Bromley Police Station aside from the celebrant.....Read Full Article>>

The incident reportedly took place on April 22, 2022, following past light-hearted exchanges between the two officers, who had worked together since June 2018 and shared a friendly working relationship. The victim alleged that around 11:30 p.m., after Balogun had arrived at the event having consumed alcohol, Balogun seized the victim’s spectacles and later grabbed him by the throat and bit him on the face. Balogun’s version of the events differed, claiming he accidentally knocked off the victim’s glasses and denying any physical assault. However, medical reports confirmed the victim sustained a bite injury.

The panel’s findings indicated that Balogun’s actions constituted “Discreditable Conduct,” which breached standards expected of officers and undermined public trust in the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS). Testimonies, including one from Balogun’s inspector of nearly five years, acknowledged his positive qualities as an officer, though prior disciplinary actions limited the weight of such character references.

In concluding, the panel determined that dismissal without notice was the only appropriate course, as Balogun’s behavior was deemed deliberate and unjustifiable, thus warranting immediate termination.