'Inappropriate' Met Police officer allegedly hit a missing girl when trying to take her phone

A police officer who allegedly hit a girl who had been reported missing while trying to take her phone would have been suspended if he was still serving. Former PC Andrew Gatt hit the girl after she had returned home in October 2022, it has been alleged.

A two-day misconduct hearing, which concluded on Thursday, 9 May, the panel found that Gatt, who was attached to the West Area Command Unit, had breached the standards of professional behaviour in regard to the use of force and discreditable conduct. Had he still been a serving Met Police officer, he would have been dismissed after the findings of the hearing, Met Police said.

Chief Superintendent Sean Wilson, said: “PC Gatt’s actions towards this young girl were entirely inappropriate and certainly not what we would expect when dealing with someone who may be vulnerable.

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“No police officer should use force inappropriately and the conclusion of the panel who wholly justified. Had he still been a serving police officer, he would have been dismissed.”

Gatt resigned from the Met in May 2024.

He will now be added to the Barred List held by the College of Policing. Those appearing on the list cannot be employed by police, local policing bodies (PCCs), the Independent Office for Police Conduct or His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services.

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