Former Hackney police officer sought ‘favourable treatment’ when stopped for ‘using mobile phone’ while driving

An off-duty police officer sought favourable treatment when he was flagged down for allegedly using his mobile phone at the wheel, a Met misconduct panel has heard.

Dudley Thompson, a former police constable based at Hackney, was driving his personal car when he was stopped by a uniformed police officer in High Road, Ilford on March 7 last year.

Thompson, who resigned from the Met in August, did not attend the misconduct panel hearing yesterday, at which it was alleged he became “aggressive” and swore at the uniformed officer.

He was also said to have repeatedly explained to her that he was a police officer and requested she “use her discretion” in an attempt to seek favourable treatment.

The allegations his conduct breached the Met’s standards of professional behaviour in respect of “honesty and integrity, authority, respect and courtesy”, and “discreditable conduct”, were found to be proven.

The panel ruled that Thompson’s actions amounted to gross misconduct, and had he still worked for the Met would have justified his dismissal.