Met officer who kept cannabis and police batons at home committed gross misconduct

A Met officer has been found to have committed gross misconduct after he pleaded guilty to stashing drugs and weapons in his home.

Former PC William Holyoake, who had been attached to the South West Command Unit, pleaded guilty in September last year at Surrey Magistrates’ Court to two counts of possession of a Class B drug and four counts of possession of an offensive weapon in a private place.

He was sentenced at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on October 4, 2022, to a community order to complete 60 hours of unpaid work within 12 months and a £95 surcharge to the court.

Following the conclusion of the investigation, which was led by Surrey Police, the Met began misconduct proceedings.

Former PC Holyoake resigned from the Met on August 23 last year.

He will now be added to the Barred List held by the College of Policing. Those appearing on the list cannot be employed by police, the Independent Office for Police Conduct or His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services.

The officer was found to have committed gross misconduct following a hearing which concluded on Monday, January 30.

Assistant Commissioner Barbara Gray found he breached the Standards of Professional Behaviour in respect of discreditable conduct.

Chief Superintendent Lis Chapple, of the South West Command Unit, said: “Not only was former PC Holyoake found in possession of cannabis, but he also had police issue batons at his home.

“There was no reason for him to have these items, and he acknowledged this when he pleaded guilty.

“We will not tolerate this type of behaviour, which is clearly unacceptable.”

(Picture: The Met)