Crime Desk

The Metropolitan Police are today investigating allegations of criminality and misconduct by its own officers in Mottingham and Chislehurst with a female police constable arrested on suspicion of attempting to pervert the course of justice, and a male PCSO arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

The PCSO has been suspended, while a decision on the constable will be made shortly.

In total three people have been arrested, one is not employed by the Met Police arrested on suspicion of attempting to pervert the course of justice in relation to the arrest of the constable they remain in police custody.

Further charges have been brought against the Met officers, a police sergeant, police constable and PCSO, are now subject to a misconduct investigation into alleged failures in responsibility and duty including not spending enough time out patrolling and not carrying out their tasks adequately.

This news follows on from revelations that a male PCSO was arrested on suspicion of conspiring to supply Class A drugs, misconduct in public office and harbouring an offender.

Speaking yesterday Bromley borough commander Chief Superintendent Charles Griggs said: "It's only right that the MPS carries out investigations when there are suggestions that officers or staff have acted in a way that does not meet the standards we and the public expect.

"This investigation includes matters of alleged criminality and alleged misconduct, from people simply not doing their job properly to serious criminal activity such as drugs supply.

"If found proven we will take robust action."

Mr Griggs added: "Whilst this investigation continues I am in the process of ensuring that the community has a safer neighbourhood team that will be available to work locally and address crime and safety concerns.

"A different team of officers and staff will be in place in a matter of days.

"I want to make it quite clear that whilst cases of alleged wrong doing give cause for concern, the vast majority of my staff in Bromley, and indeed officers and staff across the Met, work with professionalism, diligence and integrity to provide the public with the policing service they expect."

The news of the actions of Met officers in Bromey follows reports last week that 639 officers have been found guilty of criminal offences since 2002. A total of 79 were jailed, 73 of whom were dismissed or required to resign. Others who were jailed are believed to have resigned before they were convicted."

"Most of the officers kept their jobs after their convictions - the majority of cases involved minor traffic offences. Police insiders say officers found guilty of serious traffic offences such as drink-driving would normally be sacked."

"Eight officers were convicted of corruption, three of drugs offences, 43 of violence offences, 21 of sexual offences, five of perjury, 23 of theft and 17 of misconduct or malfeasance in public office. In February, former borough commander Ali Dizaei was jailed for four years for misconduct and sacked."

"All officers convicted of a serious crime face the possibility of a Metropolitan Police Authority hearing to decide if they should lose part of their pension. Last year 39 were convicted of a crime - nine faced such a hearing."