Met officer sacked over sexual assault allegation

The Met Police investigated Kamal Baldeo after a criminal investigation was dropped

A Metropolitan Police officer has been dismissed without notice following an allegation of sexual assault.

Kamal Baldeo, who was a detective constable with the South West Area Command Unit, was accused of engaging in non-consensual sexual activity in Brighton after meeting a woman on an online dating site.

Sussex Police launched a criminal investigation in May 2021 but it concluded in July 2022 with no further action taken against Mr Baldeo.

Following its own investigation, Scotland Yard determined he should face misconduct proceedings where he was found to have breached police standards of professional behaviour.

The hearing, which concluded on Wednesday, found he had engaged in "discreditable conduct proven at gross misconduct", a Met spokesperson said.

Det Ch Supt Clair Kelland, who leads policing in south-west London, said: "Despite no further action in the criminal proceedings, we take allegations of this nature extremely seriously.

"It took a great deal of courage for the complainant to contact police and she deserved a comprehensive and thorough investigation."

She added the Met's directorate of professional standards worked to ensure officers met "the highest standards" which Mr Baldeo "fell very far below".