Metropolitan Police Officer Dismissed After Touching Colleague at 2018 Christmas Party
A misconduct panel found that Pc Kevin Beedel repeatedly touched a female colleague's bottom despite her objections at a 2018 work event. The panel concluded the actions amounted to harassment and dismissed him from the force.
The IndependentA Metropolitan Police misconduct panel dismissed Pc Kevin Beedel after determining he repeatedly touched a female colleague's bottom at a 2018 team Christmas party in Hertfordshire. The panel found that Pc Beedel placed his hand on Pc A's left bottom cheek while both stood at a casino table.
Pc A told him to stop, but he removed and replaced his hand several times, the panel heard. Pc A said she felt shocked and later moved around the table to distance herself from him. She described seeing male colleagues behind her with a phone, laughing and attempting to hide it when she approached.
Beedel told the panel he was "just being friendly" and had no romantic interest in Pc A. He said witnesses may have seen events from the wrong angle in a dimly lit venue. Pc A stated she did not report the incident at the time because she feared it would be "brushed under the carpet" and could damage her career.
She described a "laddish culture" in the team that included sexual innuendos about female officers. The panel concluded the touching was not horseplay and was done in pursuit of sexual gratification. It found Pc Beedel harassed Pc A and caused her distress and embarrassment.
Pc Beedel had liked older Instagram photos of Pc A, including images of her in bikinis, which she found "sinister," the panel heard. Pc Beedel's actions breached the Standards of Professional Behaviour, resulting in his dismissal from the Metropolitan Police.
Transparency
Reported by a single outlet. This score reflects source tier and factual specificity — corroboration is limited with one source.
Story details
Related Stories
wealthmanagement.comUS Sanctions Nine Hezbollah-Linked Lebanese Officials for Blocking Disarmament
The Treasury Department’s OFAC designated nine Lebanese individuals tied to Hezbollah as Specially Designated Global Terrorists under Executive Order 13224. The action blocks their property and exposes any person or entity dealing with them to secondary sanctions under the Hizbal…
cointelegraph.comUS Sanctions 11 Individuals and 4 Entities Tied to Sinaloa Cartel Fentanyl Networks
The Treasury Department’s OFAC designated 11 individuals including Armando de Jesus Ojeda Aviles, Jesus Gonzalez Penuelas, Fredi Ismael Garcia Sandoval and Luis Arnulfo Moreno Zamora plus four entities under counter-narcotics and counter-terrorism authorities. The action blocks t…
upi.comKenya Court Halts U.S.-Backed Ebola Quarantine Center for American Citizens
Hundreds protested in Nanyuki on Monday against a planned Ebola quarantine facility at Laikipia Air Base. A Kenyan court suspended the project after petitions cited infrastructure and safety concerns.