Met anti-drug boss sacked for refusing cannabis test reinstated as Scotland Yard set to challenge ‘concerning’ decision
A METROPOLITAN police officer who oversaw the force’s anti-drugs policy was sacked after refusing to take a cannabis test.
The senior cop was later reinstated but Scotland Yard has vowed to challenge the “concerning” decision not to sack him.
The veteran Met officer, in his 60s, allegedly used Class A rave drugs including LSD and magic mushrooms as well as cannabis during holidays to France.
He was also accused of smoking weed before breakfast every day and then heading to work as a police officer.
Bennett had drawn up the Met Police’s current anti-narcotics guidance in 2018, in an effort to raise awareness about the danger of drugs.
He was later found to have committed gross misconduct by failing to give a urine sample after a drugs test in July 2020.
He launched an appeal against the charges and his sacking this week, and a tribunal eventually came to their decision today, years later.
An Independent Police Appeals Tribunal overruled the move to remove the former Met commander, who has worked on the force since 1977.
They have since ordered a new hearing where officials will review the decision.
Met Police assistant commissioner Matt Twist said he is “very concerned” by the development and the force is looking to challenge it.
He confirmed Bennett would not be returning to duty yet.
Twist said his colleagues and the public would also be “appalled” that no final decision on Bennett had yet been made.
He wrote in a post shared online: “I am very concerned by this decision and I have no doubt that the public and hardworking colleagues across the Met will be appalled that this case remains unresolved after such a long time.
“It very clearly illustrates why reform of the misconduct process is so needed and why the Met has been calling for urgent change.
“We await the written decision before determining our next steps, but we are actively considering a challenge by way of judicial review.
“Senior officers are expected to lead by example and Mr Bennett will not return to duty whilst we consider our options.”
Bennett had previously been cleared by a disciplinary panel of using cannabis at home in late 2019.
But he failed to provide a sample for a cannabis test in July the following year.
He was suspended in 2021 as the Met launched an investigation.
His former flatmate Sheila Gomes claimed he used cannabis every day before work.
A panel of three people rejected the claim during the tribunal this week.