A police officer has been found to have deceived a TV presenter by using a fake identity to engage in a relationship with her while concealing his existing family, according to a panel investigating misconduct.
During the hearing, Jackie Adedeji, 31, revealed that PC Ian Steel had misrepresented himself for over two years in order to exploit her for his own racialized sexual desires. The panel determined that Steel had committed gross misconduct and stated that he would have been dismissed if he had not already resigned.
Speaking to the BBC, Ms. Adedeji, known for her work on the investigative TV show “Untold” and appearances on BBC3, expressed a sense of liberation after a decade of silence. She emphasized reclaiming her voice and standing up for her younger self who felt voiceless.
The investigation was conducted by the City of London Police, where Steel had transferred in 2022 before resigning a couple of years later. Their initial encounter occurred in June 2016 in Shoreditch, east London, when Ms. Adedeji was 22 and socializing with friends.
At the time, Steel, 38 years old, was living with a partner and child, operating as a plain-clothes officer. He falsely presented himself as “Danny Stevens,” an undercover officer with no familial ties.
The relationship endured until 2021 and involved multiple encounters while Steel was on duty. Despite denying various allegations, including engaging in sexual activities in an alleyway, all accusations against him were substantiated. Consequently, he has been added to the police barred list, prohibiting his return to law enforcement.
Ms. Adedeji, who chose to forego anonymity, lodged a complaint with the Independent Office for Police Conduct three years prior. Encouraging others to speak out against mistreatment, she emphasized the importance of standing up for oneself and breaking the cycle of silence.
Chief Superintendent Sanjay Andersen, responsible for professionalism and trust at the City of London Police, acknowledged the arduous process for Ms. Adedeji and commended her bravery in coming forward.
He stated, “The findings of gross misconduct highlight behavior that significantly deviates from the expected standards of police officers, as demanded by the public.”
