A Metropolitan Police officer stationed at the controversial Charing Cross police precinct has been dismissed from the force for inappropriately touching a woman in a pub while under the influence of alcohol.
Jason Capery, aged 34, was found guilty of grabbing the woman’s buttocks, causing her significant emotional distress, according to Westminster magistrates’ court. Capery received a 12-month community order last week and was subsequently fired after a misconduct hearing found him to have breached professional conduct standards.
Detective Chief Superintendent Christina Jessah, responsible for policing in central west London, emphasized that PC Capery’s actions were well below the expected standards for a law enforcement officer. She stressed the importance of maintaining high standards and ensuring a safe environment for women in London, stating that inappropriate behavior has no place within the Metropolitan Police.
Capery’s incident occurred at Charing Cross police station, where previous misconduct was exposed, including officers making derogatory comments in a BBC investigation. Former Metropolitan Police commissioner Dame Cressida Dick resigned in 2022 following revelations of offensive behavior by officers at the same station.
During Capery’s sentencing, the victim described feeling violated and uncomfortable in her work environment following the incident. She expressed anxiety around male colleagues and a sense of guilt and sadness, emphasizing that the burden should not have been hers to carry, but solely Capery’s as a sworn officer of the law.
In court, Judge Richard Hawgood condemned Capery’s actions as completely unacceptable, noting that his behavior warranted a custodial sentence. Capery was sentenced to a 12-month community order, including rehabilitation activities and unpaid work hours, with the judge acknowledging the long-term impact on Capery’s reputation and character.
Judge Harwood highlighted the challenges Capery would face in rehabilitating his image after the conviction, emphasizing the lasting consequences of his misconduct.
