Officer convicted of common assault dismissed without notice
A British Transport Police officer who was convicted of common assault has been dismissed for gross misconduct following an accelerated misconduct hearing.
It was alleged that on June 23, 2023, PC Ben Godwin, who was based in Blackheath, was subjected to a non-molestation order made in the family court at Central Kent for 12 months.
Then, on July 1, 2024, at Westminster Magistrates Court, Godwin was convicted of common assault, following an incident at an address in Kent in May 2023. Godwin is due to be sentenced for this on September 4.
Following the conviction, an accelerated misconduct hearing took place where it was alleged that PC Godwin’s behaviour amounted to a breach in the Standards of Professional Behaviour, namely ‘discreditable conduct.’
PC Godwin did not attend the hearing, however, in a written submission, he reiterated his innocence and stated “he did not agree with the conviction”, thus his not-guilty plea. He did accept that following conviction, dismissal was a possible outcome.
Chief Constable Lucy D’Orsi, who chaired the hearing, found that Godwin’s actions, proved by the conviction for common assault, amounted to gross misconduct and, due to the seriousness of the misconduct, he was dismissed without notice.
Deputy Chief Constable Alistair Sutherland said, “Ex PC’s Godwin’s behaviour has discredited the police service and undermines the public’s trust, because of this Godwin has been dismissed with immediate effect.”