The UK’s Metropolitan Police Service has dismissed Nigerian-British officer Shola Balogun from Bromley Police Station following an alleged assault on a fellow officer at a birthday celebration in Bexleyheath, Kent.
The incident reportedly involved Balogun biting his colleague, whose identity remains undisclosed, during a party at Goals Sports Bar on April 22, 2022.
A disciplinary hearing held from October 21-23, 2024, chaired by senior officer Christopher McKay with panel members IPM Amanda Harvey and Detective Superintendent Kirsty Mead, reviewed the evidence.
According to a hearing document, Balogun and the victim attended a 40th birthday celebration with approximately 70 others.
Balogun, along with the unnamed officer, were the only two police officers in attendance aside from the host.
The report narrated how Balogun allegedly “reached out and grabbed the victim’s spectacles off his face,” prompting a confrontation.
The colleague claims he then “leaned forward and bit the victim on the right side of his face” during a conversation amid loud music.
Balogun, however, denied these allegations, stating he had only “knocked the victim’s glasses off by accident” and did not physically assault him.
Despite this, medical records confirmed bite injuries on the victim.
The disciplinary panel’s findings highlighted Balogun’s actions as a breach of the Metropolitan Police’s code of conduct.
“The Regulation 30 Notice alleges that by acting in the way described PC Balogun brought discredit to the police service and undermined public trust in the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS),” the document stated. “Assaulting a fellow officer is clearly unacceptable and discreditable behaviour.”
Although colleagues and an inspector, who managed Balogun for nearly five years, praised his character and dedication to the force, the panel considered his past disciplinary history.
Citing Lord Justice Maurice Kay’s words in Salter v Chief Constable of Dorset, the panel stressed that public trust requires high conduct standards for police officers, limiting the impact of personal mitigation.
Ultimately, Balogun’s previous misconduct record and the seriousness of the assault allegations led to the panel’s unanimous decision: dismissal without notice.
“The only appropriate and proportionate outcome in this case is Dismissal Without Notice,” the report recommended.
