A serving Metropolitan Police officer has been dismissed from the force after he was convicted of assaulting his neighbour during a heated argument over a parked car.
The Incident and Assault Conviction
PC Daniel Traynor, 38, was found guilty of assault by beating at Westminster Magistrates' Court on November 12, 2024. The court heard that the altercation occurred on November 29, 2024, after Traynor returned to his home in east London and found a vehicle obstructing access to his property.
After attempts to locate the driver, a confrontation ensued with his neighbour, Joshua Smith. The situation escalated from a verbal argument to a physical fight. Traynor pushed Smith, who then punched the officer, and the pair grappled before falling to the ground. Mr Smith sustained injuries from the fall.
Misconduct Hearing and Dismissal
A police misconduct hearing in south London on Monday concluded that Traynor's actions amounted to gross misconduct. Commander Andy Brittain, who led the hearing, stated the officer's conduct was 'wholly unbecoming of a police officer' and had damaged public confidence.
Commander Brittain dismissed PC Traynor without notice, noting the officer's actions were deliberate and that he could have walked away from the increasingly heated dispute but chose not to. The hearing was told Traynor did not attend, submitting a medical note stating he was unfit.
Impact and Ongoing Appeal
In a victim impact statement, Joshua Smith said the incident had a 'big impact' on his mental health and was traumatic for his family. He described it as terrifying that a police officer would act in such a manner.
Jennie Oborne, representing the appropriate authority, said the assault caused harm to Mr Smith and to 'public confidence in policing', emphasising the paramount importance of officers keeping their temper.
PC Traynor, who denied the allegation and claimed he acted in reasonable self-defence, is appealing his criminal conviction. He was previously sentenced to 80 hours of unpaid work, 15 rehabilitation activity days, and ordered to pay £614 in costs and compensation. His appeal is scheduled to be heard at Snarebrook Crown Court on February 2, 2025.
