A Metropolitan Police constable in his 50s has been found dead on the roof of Kensington police station in west London. The officer, who reportedly drove response vehicles, was facing a misconduct hearing and is suspected to have taken his own life.
He was reported missing by colleagues after failing to turn up for his shift on Thursday and was found at the station later that day. The Met has said the death is not being treated as suspicious. An inquest will be held, and the case has been reported to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
Failed breath test and restricted duties
The officer had been due to face disciplinary hearings in November after failing a random alcohol breath test in July. A source told The Sun that he narrowly failed the test, with 13 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres considered over the limit for police officers. The legal breath-alcohol limit to drive in Britain is 35 micrograms.
He was on restricted duties while the investigation was ongoing. A source said: “There have been suggestions he may have been struggling with personal issues and alcohol which was why he was tested.”
Concerns over officer suicides
The Police Federation has raised concerns about officer suicides, with around 20 taking their lives each year. The federation said more than 100 police officers and staff had died by suicide between 2022 and 2025, and more than 200 had attempted to do so, with at least 70 of those who died being serving police. It added that 47 of the 70 suicides involved officers under misconduct or criminal investigation, and in 2025, 12 of the 13 known police suicides involved those facing investigation.
Retired Met DCI Mick Neville said: “Chief constables need to change the way they treat vulnerable staff facing misconduct proceedings.” A colleague wrote: “The blue line will never be the same, was there at the start all those years ago. A true legend.” The Standard has approached the Met for comment.
