Met Police officer sacked after telling female colleague he hoped she'd 'get raped' on way home from night out

The decision forms part of an ongoing investigation into officers based at Charing Cross police station in London.

Mr O'Connor was also barred from working in policing in the future.

A disciplinary panel found he had breached professional standards relating to discreditable conduct, quality and diversity, and authority, respect and courtesy.

Allegations against Charing Cross officers emerged after the BBC broadcast a Panorama documentary about the station in October last year.

All but one of the 15 officers identified so far, a former PC, have since been barred from policing.

A further 15 officers or police staff remain under investigation.

Additional cases of misconduct were identified after further footage, not included in the original documentary, were passed to investigators by the BBC.

A subsequent witness appeal lead to further allegations being raised by both members of the public and former Charing Cross staff.

One of these related directly to Mr O'Connor, concerning an off-duty incident that took place in October 2024.

The Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) Director of Engagement Amanda Rowe said the organisation had been "extremely concerned and appalled" by conduct shown in the documentary, particularly given a previous investigation into similar allegations at the same station.

She said: "The public would expect that those responsible are rooted out swiftly and within days of the broadcast we decided there was incontrovertible evidence of gross misconduct and the officers should face accelerated proceedings to enable the Met to dismiss them.

Ms Rowe confirmed those officers, including three who held supervisory roles as sergeants, have been permanently barred from policing.

She added the investigation did not end there.

A dedicated team of investigators has since worked through a significant volume of additional footage and new information gathered through public appeals.

Ms Rowe said this was to ensure the investigation remained "as thorough and robust as possible" while ensuring quick action was taken against those involved.

She confirmed the investigation now covers 30 police officers and staff members in total.

Ms Rowe described it as one of the IOPC's largest ever investigations by the number of officers involved.

She said the scale of the fast-tracked disciplinary proceedings reflected how seriously both the IOPC and the Met, which held the misconduct hearings, are treating the matter.

Eight active investigations remain ongoing, including two involving officers currently under criminal investigation.

One case concerns allegations of perverting the course of justice, while the other relates to alleged use of excessive force.

A separate criminal investigation into a third officer, also concerning potential perverting of the course of justice, has recently concluded.

The IOPC decided not to refer that case to the Crown Prosecution Service for a charging decision.

That same officer has already been dismissed and barred from policing as part of the wider Charing Cross investigation, relating to discriminatory and Islamophobic comments that were recorded.

Alongside the ongoing criminal matters, investigations continue into a further 15 officers or police staff.

All but one, a British Transport Police constable, are employed by Scotland Yard.

One of these officers, a designated detention officer based at Charing Cross custody suite, is due to face a gross misconduct hearing on September 25.

That hearing relates to comments recorded concerning the treatment of individuals held in custody.