Metropolitan Police Officer Dismissed for Operating Unauthorised Coffee Business While Suspended
A Metropolitan Police officer has been dismissed without notice after it was found he ran a coffee business while suspended from duty on full pay. PC Stanley Kennett, 31, operated The Coffee Cycle, a venture based in a bike shop in Storrington, West Sussex, despite being suspended since October 2023.
Unauthorised Business Interest and Misconduct Hearing
According to a tribunal ruling, PC Kennett applied for a business interest called The Coffee Cycle on 23rd April 2024, which was declined a week later. However, by September 2025, it was confirmed that he had continued to engage in and operate this unauthorised business interest while receiving his full salary from the force.
The Coffee Cycle was incorporated on 1st April 2025, with Companies House listing Mr Kennett as the director. The business, which serves coffee, cake, and pastries and provides catering for events, was described in the ruling as a "full-blown and expanding business" supported by incorporation, a director's loan, and employment of staff.
Gross Misconduct and Dismissal
Following a misconduct hearing on 12th February, PC Kennett was found to have breached police standards of professional behaviour, amounting to gross misconduct. Commander Andy Brittain, who presided over the hearing, stated that running a business while suspended on full pay brings policing and the Metropolitan Police Service into disrepute.
Mr Brittain emphasised: "This was not simply a volunteering opportunity. PC Kennett is also noted to have been actively engaged on social media promoting that business. This was a sophisticated operation, and PC Kennett appears heavily involved at all points." He added that members of the public would not expect serving police officers to act in this way.
Admission and Consequences
PC Kennett admitted his actions but argued they amounted to misconduct only, not gross misconduct. The ruling rejected this, noting that his involvement undermined claims he lacked capacity to understand the consequences. In addition to dismissal, he has been placed on the College of Policing's barred list, preventing future employment in policing.
This case highlights the strict standards expected of police officers, even when suspended, and the serious repercussions for violating professional conduct rules.
