Met Police officer whose lies cheated road rage victim of justice is sacked

A Metropolitan Police officer whose lies cheated a road rage victim of justice has been sacked.

PC Conor Parkin was supposed to investigate two suspects who attacked a lorry driver at knifepoint as he made his way to work.

One smashed the HGV’s window while wielding a kitchen knife.

The driver suffered a cut to his right thumb and the thugs were arrested at the scene about 7.30am on September 15, 2020.

Over the coming months, Parkin falsely claimed on a police crime reporting database he tried to contact the victim, known as Mr S, and a witness, Mr D, multiple times by phone and letter but neither responded.

With little done in the case, the policeman eliminated both suspects from the investigation in February 2021.

But he was caught out when the victim attended Fresh Wharf Police Station in Barking, east London seeking an update because he had heard nothing and spoke to a supervisor.

A detective inspector reviewing the case a year later made immediate contact with Mr S and left a voicemail message for Mr D, who returned her telephone call within two days.

Parkin was interviewed under caution in May last year but denied wrongdoing.

Both Mr S and Mr D attended a misconduct hearing on June 14 that found Parkin’s behaviour amounted to gross misconduct in relation to a breach of honesty and integrity.

The panel, led by legally qualified chair chaired by Clare Harrington, said it was entirely satisfied that both men “were witnesses of truth”. Parkin’s evidence was “vague, cloaked in generalities and unsatisfactory”.

Miss Harrington noted the principle harm of Parkin’s actions was the failure to properly investigate an alleged serious crime and reputational harm to the force in letting down the members of the public.

Parkin showed “relative sophistication” by repeatedly making “false reports of actions which he had not undertaken”.

She added: “When deliberating, the panel has reminded itself of the need to protect public confidence… by preventing similar misconduct in the future.”

The hearing heard Parkin had a full caseload at the time and his mother died in December 2020, an event that was an “utterly devastating experience”.

Parkin has been dismissed without notice.

Chief Superintendent Stuart Bell, responsible for policing in Barking and Dagenham – where the officer worked, said: “PC Parkin was dishonest and made detailed fabrications on crime reports in an attempt to avoid his essential duties.

“His actions were completely unacceptable and it’s absolutely right that he has been dismissed from the organisation.”

Anyone with information about a Met police officer or member of staff who is corrupt, or abusing their position and power, can call the Anti-Corruption and Abuse Hotline, run by the independent charity Crimestoppers, on 0800 085 0000 or complete the online form at www.crimestoppers-org.uk.