Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police
A misconduct hearing has found that a former officer would have been dismissed for his inappropriate actions towards a victim of crime.
Gross misconduct had been proven in October 2021 for Detective Chief Inspector James Mason, with the panel giving him a final written warning.
Following a legal challenge, a hearing which began on Thursday, 19 June reconsidered the sanction, and amended it to dismissal on the basis of the high level of harm caused by DCI Mason.
Former DCI Mason, who resigned and left the Met in November 2022, will also be placed on the police Barred List.
Detective Superintendent Neil Smithson, Professional Standards, said: “The Met took the allegations against DCI James Mason seriously and conducted an investigation that led to a misconduct hearing. The hearing panel, led by an independent legally qualified chair, made the decision not to dismiss him and the Met Police has in no way sought to justify that decision.
“Former DCI Mason’s behaviour was wholly unacceptable. A victim of crime is already likely to feel vulnerable, they should never be made to feel worse by the actions of a police officer. I hope the victim in this case takes some comfort from the outcome of the fresh hearing.
“The Commissioner has made it very clear that officers who abuse their position of trust and authority have no place in the Met. We continue our ongoing drive to improve our standards and culture.”
The hearing in 2021 found all allegations proven against DCI Mason.
The hearing heard that in October 2011 while a detective sergeant, DCI Mason took a witness statement from a female victim of an attempted robbery.
He asked inappropriate questions about her personal life, relationships and whether she would like to go for dinner that evening.
The following day he was contacted by the woman to ask if further investigation could be done. DCI Mason began an inappropriate email exchange with her, including suggesting they meet for drinks and commenting on her appearance.
The victim began a legal challenge against the panel for its decision to issue a three-year final written warning. In January the Court of Appeal directed that the panel should convene on the issue of sanction.
The Barred List is held by the College of Policing. Those appearing on the list cannot be employed by police and a number of other policing bodies.