UK police dismiss Nigerian-British officer, Shola Balogun for biting colleague

The Metropolitan Police Service in the UK has terminated the employment of Nigerian-British officer Shola Balogun from the Bromley Police Station after he was found guilty of biting a colleague during a birthday party in Bexleyheath, Kent.

This decision was announced following a hearing held from October 21-23, 2024, chaired by senior officer Christopher McKay, alongside panel members IPM Amanda Harvey and Assessor-Detective Superintendent Kirsty Mead.

According to hearing documents reviewed by our correspondent, Balogun, a Police Constable, attended a 40th birthday celebration for a fellow officer at Goals Sports Bar, where around 70 people were present. The hearing revealed that both officers had a friendly relationship and were well-acquainted, having worked together at Bromley Police Station since June 2018.

The incident occurred on April 22, 2022, and stemmed from what was described as light-hearted horseplay. However, during the party, the victim alleged that Balogun unexpectedly grabbed his glasses and dropped them. When the victim confronted Balogun, he claimed the officer pushed him in the throat and then bit him on the face.

Balogun, on the other hand, contended that he knocked the glasses off accidentally and denied any assault. Nevertheless, medical reports confirmed that the victim had indeed been bitten.

The hearing document indicated that Balogun’s actions constituted a breach of the standard of Discreditable Conduct as outlined by the College of Policing Code of Ethics, which requires officers to uphold the highest standards of behavior, both on and off duty. The panel concluded that Balogun’s behavior had discredited the police service and undermined public trust.

While some colleagues testified to Balogun’s good character, the panel weighed this against his prior disciplinary history. Ultimately, they deemed that dismissal without notice was the appropriate response to his actions, stating that a mere final written warning would not suffice given the seriousness of the assault.

In their decision, the panel emphasized, “The only appropriate and proportionate outcome in this case is Dismissal Without Notice,” reflecting the need to maintain public confidence in policing standards.