Hammersmith Police Officer Harassed Jogger


Receives final warning after being found guilty of gross misconduct

The British Transport Police officer was off duty at the time of the offence
The British Transport Police officer was off duty at the time of the offence

A serving British Transport Police (BTP) officer based in Hammersmith has received a final written warning, following a misconduct hearing held between 17 and 19 May.

PC Imran Aftab faced three allegations at the hearing in York that he had breached the standards of professional behaviour. Investigation had been undertaken by BTP’s Professional Standards Department and the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC).
The independent panel found the officer had a case proven for the allegations.

He was found to have approached a lone female jogger in Hammersmith during April last year while he was off duty and harassed her to give him his number while showing her his warrant card. He later sent her six text messages.

The panel decided he had used his warrant card inappropriately and made comments that were deemed to be racist when he told the woman she was ‘too curvy to be Asian’. He was also found guilty of breaching government guidelines on social distancing when he attempted to hug the woman.

IOPC Regional Director, Sal Naseem, said, “Police officers abusing their position for sexual purposes erodes the trust and confidence of the public. It has no place in policing.

“Police officers hold a position of trust and there are policies and guidance in place to ensure they maintain professional boundaries between themselves and members of the public.

"By identifying himself as a BTP police officer and abusing his position to engage with this woman meant PC Aftab crossed that line. His behaviour was unacceptable.

“The sanction illustrates how seriously this kind of behaviour is viewed.”

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May 27, 2021