A Metropolitan Police officer has been dismissed without notice after using his work-issued phone to send and receive messages from sex workers and escorts, a misconduct hearing has ruled.
PC Shabul Miah, who was attached to the North East Public Protection unit, engaged in a “significant number of text messages” with mobile numbers linked to sexually explicit websites over a period of more than six months.
On-duty messaging and gross misconduct
The misconduct hearing was told that between 5 April and 12 October 2024, Miah repeatedly used his police-issued mobile phone to engage in text exchanges with individuals advertising their services on explicit websites.
Some of these messages were sent while Miah was on duty, in direct violation of police conduct rules.
The panel ruled that Miah had committed gross misconduct, having breached the expected standards of professional behaviour regarding discreditable conduct.
As a result, he was immediately dismissed from the force and placed on the College of Policing’s barred list, preventing him from ever working in law enforcement again.
Met police condemns ‘deeply inappropriate’ behaviour
Following the ruling, Chief Superintendent Dan Card, who leads policing in North East London, condemned Miah’s conduct as unacceptable.
“PC Miah’s use of work-issued equipment for his own personal sexual gratification was deeply inappropriate.
“I hope this outcome shows we will not tolerate such behaviour and won’t hesitate to take action against those who do not reach the standards we expect from our officers.”
The misconduct panel further stated that Miah’s actions had seriously undermined public confidence in the police force.
By engaging in such behaviour, he had acted in a manner likely to bring discredit to the Met, damaging the force’s reputation and betraying public trust.
Placed on national barred list
As part of his immediate dismissal, Miah’s name has been added to the College of Policing’s barred list.
This means he is permanently banned from working in any police-related role, including:
- The Metropolitan Police Service or any other police force in the UK
- Local policing bodies
- The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC)
- His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services
The barred list is a crucial measure to ensure that officers dismissed for misconduct are prevented from re-entering the profession.
Policing under scrutiny
Miah’s dismissal comes at a time of intense scrutiny on police behaviour, with multiple scandals in recent years leading to calls for stricter vetting and oversight of officers.
The Met has been working to rebuild public confidence following a series of misconduct cases involving inappropriate or criminal behaviour by serving officers.
This case reinforces the zero-tolerance approach that police leaders are taking against unprofessional and unethical behaviour within the force.
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A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police reiterated the force’s commitment to high standards and the importance of swift disciplinary action when officers fail to meet expectations.
“The public rightly expects that police officers uphold the highest standards of professionalism and integrity at all times.
“Cases like this demonstrate that when individuals abuse their position, they will be held accountable and removed from the force.”
A clear warning to officers
PC Miah’s dismissal serves as a warning to other officers about the consequences of misusing police resources for personal activities.
His conduct, which compromised the professionalism and integrity of the force, highlights the importance of strict adherence to ethical policing standards.
While the Met continues efforts to restore trust and accountability, cases like this underscore the challenges in ensuring all officers uphold the core values of policing.
For now, the message remains clear: officers who breach public trust will face the full consequences of their actions.
