Met Officer sacked for placing hands on female colleagues’ legs on duty

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

A serving officer of the Metropolitan Police has been dismissed following findings of sexually inappropriate behaviour towards two female colleagues while on duty, as the force intensifies efforts to root out misconduct and rebuild trust within its ranks.

The officer, Calum O’Loughnane, attached to the Central North Command Unit, was sacked after a disciplinary hearing concluded on Friday, January 23, 2026.

The panel found that he acted inappropriately towards two female officers, including placing his hands on their legs during working hours.

The misconduct was ruled to be a serious breach of professional standards, amounting to gross misconduct and warranting immediate dismissal from the force.

Reacting to the decision, Jason Stewart, Chief Superintendent responsible for policing in the Central North area, said the officer’s actions fell far below the standards expected of anyone serving in the Met.

“The behaviour of PC O’Loughnane fell well short of that expected of a serving officer,” Stewart said.

“Women deserve to feel safe working at the Met, and there is no place for sexual misconduct in policing,” he said.

He added that the force remains committed to removing officers who undermine professional integrity and public confidence.

“We are working hard to make sure anyone who does not reach these standards is removed from the force,” he said.

The panel found that O’Loughnane had breached the police standards of professional behaviour relating to discreditable conduct.

In addition to his dismissal, he will be placed on the barred list maintained by the College of Policing, effectively preventing him from working in policing or related oversight bodies in the future.

Officers placed on the barred list are prohibited from employment with police forces, local policing bodies, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, or HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services.

The dismissal comes amid continued scrutiny of police conduct across the UK, with senior officers under pressure to demonstrate zero tolerance for abuse, harassment and misconduct within the ranks, particularly offences involving colleagues and vulnerable groups.