A former police officer, Pc Peter Greaves, would have faced immediate dismissal had he not already resigned, according to an investigation led by temporary chief constable Maggie Blyth. Greaves was secretly filmed in November 2024 while working for the Metropolitan Police Service, expressing his enjoyment of using force against detainees. This footage, revealed in a documentary by Panorama, also highlighted issues of racism, Islamophobia, and misogyny within the police force.
Greaves transferred to Gloucestershire Constabulary in March 2025 after passing vetting procedures in accordance with the College of Policing’s guidelines. He resigned in November 2025, shortly before the documentary aired on October 1, 2025. In the recorded conversations, Greaves stated he would break the fingers of detainees who resisted providing fingerprints.
Following an inquiry by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), an accelerated misconduct hearing was conducted on January 9, 2026. T/CC Blyth determined that Greaves’ comments constituted a violation of the professional standards expected from police officers, specifically regarding discreditable conduct. She concluded that he would have been dismissed without notice had he not already left the force.
In light of these findings, Greaves’ name will be added to the Police Barred List, a measure employed by the College of Policing to prevent his return to policing or employment with related organizations. T/CC Blyth remarked, “While there is no evidence former Pc Greaves actually inflicted physical harm on members of the public, his comments were shocking and seriously harmed public confidence in policing.”
This incident is part of a broader scandal involving the Metropolitan Police, which has already resulted in the dismissal of seven officers featured in the Panorama episode. Another hearing is scheduled for an officer associated with the detention unit at a later date. The IOPC’s investigation into the allegations at Charing Cross Police Station remains ongoing, as the organization seeks to address the serious concerns raised about police conduct and accountability.
