Former officer jailed for perverting the course of justice found guilty of gross misconduct

A special case hearing on Tuesday (May 18) found that the conduct of George Glassey, who was attached to the Metropolitan Police Service’s (MPS) Central East Command Unit, breached the Standards of Professional Behaviour in respect of honesty and integrity and discreditable conduct.

The MPS said had Glassey not resigned from the force on March 2, he would have been dismissed without notice.

Glassey was jailed for four months on April 9 after pleading guilty at Southwark Crown Court to perverting the course of justice.

In October 2019, Glassey attended the custody suite at Bethnal Green police station and provided a positive identification statement for a burglary suspect. He claimed to have noticed the suspect while in custody and recognised him, which was later found to be false.

As soon as Glassey’s false statement came to light, the MPS contacted the Crown Prosecution Service to alert it to the risk of an unsafe conviction, which was subsequently quashed.

Chief Superintendent Marcus Barnett, who leads the Central East command, said: “The public deserve the best from us at all times and I’m afraid, on this occasion, this former officer fell far below the high standards that the public expect of their police service.

“I am clear, as is the rest of the Met, that policing means you act with the upmost professionalism and integrity at all times. This is not up for negotiation.

“I know that this case will cause concern, but please be assured that there is simply no place for wrongdoing and gross dishonesty in the Metropolitan Police Service and we will always work quickly and robustly to root it out.”