Officer dismissed for ‘turning a blind eye’ to her husband’s criminality

A misconduct hearing that concluded on Thursday (June 30) found gross misconduct proven against Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) Police Constable Inga Gherghel.

It comes after PC Gherghel’s husband Ioan Gherghel, 36, of Stratford, E15, was jailed for six years after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to acquire criminal property.

He was one of six people – including a former MPS officer Kashif Mahmood– who were sentenced in May last year after admitting a range of offences following the wider investigation by the MPS’s Directorate of Professional Standards’ Anti-Corruption Command.

The misconduct panel, led by an independent legally qualified chair, heard evidence relating to the arrest of PC Gherghel’s husband on April 28, 2020.

During an investigation by the MPS’s Anti-Corruption Command, a search was conducted at the couple’s home address and an MPS MetVest – force issued body armour – was found inside a cupboard. It had not been issued to PC Gherghel.

A shoebox containing more than £10,000 in cash was also discovered in a bedroom wardrobe.

The hearing found that being aware of the presence of the items, PC Gherghel willfully failed to inquire further in to the origin or purpose of the items and as to what either might be doing in her flat.

Commander Marcus Barnett, in charge of policing at the Central East Command Unit, said: “It is the duty of any police officer to report criminality to police and PC Gherghel turned a blind eye to the actions of her husband. This was exacerbated by the fact a MetVest was found at her home that had not been issued to her.

“As the investigation shows, we are determined to root out officers in the Met who do not demonstrate the right qualities and we will prosecute and dismiss them from our force.”

The MPS said PC Gherghel will now be added to the College of Policing Barred List.