Charing Cross investigation update – gross misconduct findings for nine officers, further investigations into officers' behaviour under way
Factual summary of a published IOPC investigation, covering the incident, key findings and outcome.
- Published
- 2026-02-14
- Investigation type
- managed
- Force involved
- Metropolitan Police Service
What was investigated
A total of nine current or former police officers involved in the BBC Panorama documentary on Charing Cross police station have been found to have committed gross misconduct. The Independent Office for Police Conduct conducted an investigation leading to fast-tracked disciplinary proceedings against the officers.
Key findings
- Nine officers found to have committed gross misconduct.
- Former PC Brian Sharkey made inappropriate comments about victims of sexual assault.
- Seven Met officers dismissed and placed on police's barred list.
- Criminal investigations into two Met officers ongoing for potential perverting the course of justice.
- Additional footage from the BBC led to widening of the investigation.
- Further officers under investigation for inappropriate comments.
- Sergeant being investigated for sexualised comments about women.
- IOPC emphasizes accountability to maintain public confidence.
Outcome
The disciplinary proceedings resulted in significant action against multiple officers, with ongoing investigations into several others. The IOPC intends to maintain rigorous standards and accountability for police conduct.
Related on BlueLineHub
- Accountability hub — how oversight of UK policing works
- IOPC outcomes & learning feed
- Metropolitan Police Service force profile
This is a factual summary of a report published by the Independent Office for Police Conduct. Individuals are referred to exactly as the source report anonymises them. BlueLineHub is independent and not affiliated with the IOPC · Summarised 2026-07-13.