Met Police Officer Dismissed After Drunken Groping Incident in West End Bar
Jason Capery, a 34-year-old former Metropolitan Police officer, has been officially dismissed from the force following his conviction for drunkenly groping a woman in a West End bar. The misconduct hearing, held on Tuesday, found that Capery had breached the standards of professional behaviour, leading to his immediate removal from the Met Police.
Court Proceedings and Victim Impact
Westminster Magistrates' Court heard how Capery, who previously served at the scandal-hit Charing Cross police station, grabbed his victim's bottom during the incident. The victim, whose impact statement was read in court, described suffering from an "overwhelming sense of guilt and sadness" as a result of the assault.
Prosecutor Rhianne Neil detailed the events, stating: "What transpired was an evening of unwanted sexual touching and harassment from Mr Capery. He was drunk, inappropriate, and vulgar and from the moment I arrived he repeatedly violated my boundaries."
The victim further explained how the incident led to a "period of unease and discomfort in my work life," causing increased anxiety around male colleagues and affecting her willingness to attend work functions. She emphasized: "I now acknowledge that it should not have been my emotional burden to carry, the responsibility lies only with Mr Capery."
Sentencing and Judicial Remarks
Last week, Capery was sentenced to a 12-month community order, which includes 25 days of rehabilitation activities and 150 hours of unpaid work. Appearing in court wearing a suit with a red tie, he was watched by his fiancée and colleagues from the gallery.
Judge Richard Hawgood commended the victim for her "very fair and balanced impact statement," noting: "I asked for the victim statement to be read because it sets the scene very vividly. I am sure a very heavy emotional burden was on the complainant about what she should do in relation to what had happened. And she had to carry that burden as well as the fact that you betrayed her trust."
The judge told Capery: "This is utterly unacceptable behaviour, to express it mildly. Your offending as a serving police officer is so serious that it crosses the custody threshold, there is no debate about it." He added that the conviction would make it "extremely difficult to rehabilitate your previous good character" and that it "will haunt you for years ahead."
Metropolitan Police Response
Detective Chief Superintendent Christina Jessah, who leads policing in central west London, condemned Capery's actions. She stated: "The actions of PC Capery fell well below the standards expected for a serving police officer. Women deserve to feel safe in London. It is imperative that our officers maintain high standards at all times and there is no place for inappropriate behaviour within the Met. We are working hard to make sure anyone who does not reach these standards is removed from the force."
Context of Charing Cross Station
Capery's dismissal adds to the controversies surrounding Charing Cross police station, where officers were previously secretly filmed in a BBC sting making Islamophobic and misogynistic comments. In one instance, an officer suggested putting a "bullet in the head" of a migrant, while another claimed "Islam is a problem."
Furthermore, former Met Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick resigned in 2022 after revelations that officers at the same station used WhatsApp to joke about raping colleagues and killing Black children. This history underscores ongoing concerns about conduct and culture within certain units of the Metropolitan Police.
The victim concluded her statement by highlighting Capery's betrayal of trust, noting: "Mr Capery swore an oath to uphold the law and failed to do so." The case highlights broader issues of accountability and professional standards in law enforcement, particularly in ensuring public safety and trust.
