Met Officer PC Gherghel dismissed for turning blind eye to her husband’s criminality
Met police have been dismissed without notice for turning a blind eye to her husband’s criminality.
The decision was made after the Met’s Anti-Corruption Command investigation discovered her husband was responsible for the theft of large amounts of cash from members of an organized criminal network.
The panel found gross misconduct proven after a hearing in the case of PC Inga Gherghel was concluded on 30 June.
The panel, led by an independent, legally qualified chair, heard evidence relating to the arrest of PC Gherghel’s husband on 28 April 2020.
A search was conducted at the couple’s home address, and an MPS MetVest – force-issued body armour – was found inside a cupboard. It had not been issued to PC Gherghel.
The panel heard how a shoebox containing more than £10,000 in cash was also discovered in a bedroom wardrobe.
The panel found that PC Gherghel was aware of the presence of the items and failed to ask for the origin or purpose of the items and what they were doing in her flat.
PC Gerghel’s husband was one of the six people sentenced in May 2021 after admitting a range of offences following the wider investigation by Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards’ Anti-Corruption Command.
The officer’s husband, Ioan Gherghel, 36, of Stratford, was sentenced to six years in jail after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to acquire criminal property.
Commander Marcus Barnett, in charge of policing at the Central East Command Unit, said:“It is the duty of any police officer to report criminality to police, and PC Gherghel turned a blind eye to the actions of her husband.
“This was exacerbated by the fact a MetVest was found at her home that had not been issued to her.
“As the investigation shows, we are determined to root out officers in the Met who do not demonstrate the right qualities, and we will prosecute and dismiss them from our force.”
PC Gherghel will now be added to the Barred List held by the College of Policing. Those appearing on the list cannot be employed by police, local policing bodies (PCCs), the IOPC or HMIC.
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