Key facts
- Two Metropolitan Police officers, PC Kheava Gould-Ryan and PC Fernando Santos Dos Santos, have been dismissed.
- The officers were dismissed for glorifying the use of force against detainees at Charing Cross police station.
- PC Gould-Ryan made comments trivializing use of force and suggesting it would be 'funny' to spray a juvenile with PAVA.
- PC Santos Dos Santos made derogatory comments about a suspect's girlfriend and members of the public in mental health crisis.
- Both officers praised colleagues' use of force against detainees.
- Ten officers have now been dismissed in connection with conduct at Charing Cross.
Two Metropolitan Police officers have been dismissed without notice for misconduct related to comments made about the use of force against detainees at Charing Cross police station. Accelerated misconduct hearings found allegations proven against PC Kheava Gould-Ryan and PC Fernando Santos Dos Santos, both attached to the Central West Command Unit.
PC Gould-Ryan made comments that trivialized the use of force on detainees, condoned unreasonable force, and suggested it would be 'funny' to see a juvenile sprayed with PAVA in custody. PC Santos Dos Santos made derogatory remarks about a suspect's girlfriend and members of the public experiencing a mental health crisis, and glorified shouting and swearing at the public. He also praised a colleague's use of force against a detainee, stating he 'just wanted to laugh'.
The behavior of the officers was captured on camera by the BBC for its Panorama program, 'Undercover in the Police.' Although their specific comments were not featured in the October broadcast, unaired footage was later shared with the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which is continuing its investigation into the conduct of several officers at Charing Cross.
Commander Simon Messinger of the Metropolitan Police stated that examining all footage was crucial to identify misconduct and hold the officers accountable for their 'appalling and inappropriate comments.' He confirmed that ten serving officers have now been dismissed for unacceptable conduct at Charing Cross, and the Met continues to support the ongoing IOPC investigation. Messinger added that efforts are underway to raise standards and address cultural issues within the Met that may have allowed such views to be considered acceptable.
Both officers were found to have breached standards of professional behaviour concerning authority, respect and courtesy, and discreditable conduct. They will be placed on the College of Policing’s barred list, preventing them from rejoining policing or working for related organizations.