MET POLICE OFFICER SACKED FOR STALKING WOMAN HE MET ON DUTY
Police officer Jonathan Simon, who was part of the Metropolitan Police’s east area command, has been dismissed following a misconduct hearing that concluded his actions amounted to gross misconduct.In April, Simon received a suspended sentence of 16 weeks in jail for harassment related to stalking a woman he had encountered while on duty in May 2021.
His stalking included initiating a relationship with the woman and then repeatedly visiting her home and workplace after she ended the relationship, often during working hours.
Despite her expressing a desire not to see him again, Simon continued to leave her messages and voicemails.
In one instance in August 2021, he visited her home and workplace in an attempt to persuade her to talk to him, claiming her window was unsecured.
The stalking behaviors lasted from October 2021 to July 2022.
During his sentencing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, district judge Daniel Sternberg remarked that Simon’s conduct had damaged the reputation of the Metropolitan Police.
An internal misconduct report, signed by Met Police assistant commissioner Barbara Gray, stated: ‘The public could not have confidence in PC Simon after he has shown himself capable of behaving in such a way.’ The document also highlighted the importance of the police service taking such criminal behavior seriously, especially amid ongoing concerns about officers’ treatment of women and girls.
