Misconduct hearing finds ‘anti-drugs’ Met Police officer guilty of gross misconduct

A senior Metropolitan Police officer who drew up an anti-drugs strategy for the force committed gross misconduct by refusing to provide a sample when he was accused of smoking cannabis, a disciplinary panel has found.

Commander Julian Bennett, who has served in the force since 1976, was cleared by a disciplinary panel of using the drug at home in late 2019.

The panel also rejected an allegation that he had given an explanation for refusing a sample which he “knew to be untrue”.

However he was found to have failed to provide a urine sample for a drugs test on July 21 2020.

By failing to provide the sample, Mr Bennett was found to have breached force standards for honesty and integrity, orders and instructions and discreditable conduct.

The case has been dragging on since July 2021 and is estimated to have cost the tax-payer around £1.5 million.

Commander Julian Bennett has been suspended on his full six figure salary while the case was ongoing.

The allegations originated from Mr Bennett's lodger, who lived with him for between 8-10 weeks in 2019.