Cdr Julian Bennett, a senior officer in the Metropolitan Police, has been terminated from his position after he refused to provide a urine sample for a cannabis test, an action deemed gross

misconduct.

Julian Bennett, who had been with the Met since 1976 and was responsible for devising the force's anti-drugs strategy, was cleared of the accusation of using the illegal substance. However, his former flatmate, Sheila Gomes, accused him of daily cannabis use before reporting to work at New Scotland Yard.

In July 2020, Ms. Gomes reported Bennett, and in the presence of an assistant commissioner, he was asked to provide a urine sample. Instead, he offered to resign immediately and requested a meeting with then-Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick.

Mark Ley-Morgan KC, representing the Metropolitan Police, argued that allowing Bennett to resign on the spot would have appeared as if there was "organized corruption at the highest level."

Bennett, who authored the police's drug strategy for 2017-21, claimed he had been using CBD (cannabidiol) to treat facial palsy and was concerned that the test would falsely indicate cannabis use for a legitimate reason.

During the tribunal in Southwark, South London, Bennett's attorney, John Beggs KC, described Ms. Gomes as a "liar" and a "fantasist" who, he alleged, aimed to write a book about the allegations to profit from them.

By failing to provide the urine sample, Bennett, who had been on full suspension with pay since July 2020, was found to have violated the force's standards for honesty and integrity, orders and instructions, and conduct that brings discredit to the police.

Akbar Khan, the panel chairman, stated that it was highly improbable that Bennett believed he had a valid reason for refusing to comply with a lawful order. He noted that harm had been done to the reputation of the Metropolitan Police Service.

Khan further characterized Bennett's actions as "deliberate and intentional," indicating that he sought personal advantages or special treatment from the commissioner and had a unique insight into what would constitute a valid reason.

Assistant Commander Barbara Gray expressed strong disapproval of Bennett's actions and highlighted the disregard and disrespect he showed for the standards that all officers must uphold. She emphasized that the public would rightly be outraged by a senior-ranking officer refusing to take a lawful drug test.

Julian Bennett had significant experience and was well aware of the professional standards expected of him, as he had chaired misconduct hearings for multiple officers between 2010 and 2016.

Freedom of information requests revealed that Bennett presided over 74 police misconduct hearings involving 90 officers between June 2010 and February 2012. In the cases he oversaw, over three-quarters of the officers were dismissed.

Beggs KC has indicated that they intend to appeal the gross misconduct finding. Photo by KRoock74, Wikimedia commons.