PC Shohaib Akram was immediately barred from serving as a police officer following a hearing on 18th September
A Waltham Forest cop was dismissed after being found with cannabis in his system.
PC Shoaib Akram, who was attached to the North East Basic Command Unit, was found to have breached police standards and committed “gross misconduct” at a hearing on 18th September.
The hearing heard how PC Akram was required to provide a urine sample on 8th March for a drugs test following suspicions that he was using barred substances.
This story is published by Waltham Forest Echo, Waltham Forest's free monthly newspaper and free news website. We are a not-for-profit publication, published by a small social enterprise. We have no rich backers and rely on the support of our readers. Donate or become a supporter.
In a statement the Metropolitan Police said: “The forensic examination of that sample confirmed the presence of cannabis in an amount that suggested misuse of those products and not as an indication of legitimate medicinal use, in direct contradiction of the Met’s substance misuse policy.”
As a result of the decision, PC Akram will not be able to serve as a police officer or in “related roles” in future, the Met said.
Chief superintendent Simon Crick, who leads policing in Waltham Forest said: “The behaviour of this former officer was disappointing. I am pleased that the appropriate action was taken quickly when it became evident that he was using prohibited substances.
“Our communities deserve the best of its police officers and that kind of behaviour has no place at all in the Met.”
No news is bad news
Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.
The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less.
If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.
Choose the news. Don’t lose the news.
Monthly direct debit
Annual direct debit
£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else.
More information on supporting us monthly or annually
More Information about donations