Met Police transferee would have been dismissed for behaviour at Charing Cross Police Station had he not resigned

A former police officer who was filmed by the BBC saying he loved using force against detainees would have been dismissed without notice had he not already resigned, Temporary Chief Constable Maggie Blyth has concluded.

PC Peter Greaves was working for the Metropolitan Police Service when he was filmed by Panorama at Charing Cross Police Station in November 2024.

PC Greaves transferred to Gloucestershire Constabulary in March 2025 after being vetted in line with the College of Policing’s Authorised Professional Practice and its Vetting Code of Practice. He resigned in November 2025.

In the documentary, which aired on 1 October 2025, the former officer was also recorded saying he would break the fingers of detainees who refused to provide fingerprints.

Following an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct, an accelerated misconduct hearing was held in front of T/CC Blyth on Friday, 9 January, who found former PC Greaves’ actions breached the standard of professional behaviour relating to discreditable conduct. She concluded he would have been dismissed without notice had he not already resigned.

His name will now be added to the Police Barred List held by the College of Policing to prevent him re-joining the police or being employed by other related bodies.

T/CC Blyth said: “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.”

To date, the Met has dismissed seven officers who featured in the Panorama episode. It is due to hold one more hearing for an officer attached to its Detention unit on a future date.

The IOPC’s investigation into all the allegations at Charing Cross continues.