A Met Police officer has been fired for sending inappropriate messages to a 17-year-old police cadet.
PC Bethan Hills was dismissed without notice after it was found she breached behavioural standards as a cadet leader between April 2023 and February 2024.
Hills sent text messages to a “vulnerable” 17-year-old cadet from her mobile over the course of almost a year.
The Met has said that whilst the messages found on her phone were not sexual in nature, the “volume and personal nature” of the messages were “not appropriate, reasonable or necessary in relation to her role as a cadet leader.”
Chief Superintendent Andrew Ricketts, of Met Operations, described the actions of PC Hills as “wholly inappropriate”.
Chief Superintendent Ricketts said: “She crossed professional boundaries - using her role as a cadet leader to send personal messages to a vulnerable teenager under her care.
He added: “We have made it very clear that officers who abuse their position of trust and authority have no place in our organisation as we continue our ongoing drive to improve standards and culture.”
The Met has said that PC Hills’ behaviour was swiftly dealt with, the matter was reported on 17 February 2024, and she was suspended from duty four days later.
As further punishment, PC Hills is being added to the Barred List held by the College of Policing to stop her from re-joining the force.
She will also be unable to seek employment from other related bodies.
Tourist tax set to be introduced in London with small levy for overnight stays
Renee Zellweger says Bridget Jones has been a ‘blessing’ as statue is unveiled
London bus drivers to strike - which routes are affected and when?
Man jailed over machete revenge killing of boy in front of mother in south London
