Senior officer sacked for 'punching two women'

The senior police officer punched two women while off-duty

A senior police officer, who had a distinguished career tackling violence against women, has been sacked for 'punching two women'.

While off-duty, south Bristol Insp Tola Munro dragged a woman to the ground before punching her in the face and hitting another female, a tribunal was told.

He left one of the women with a bruise to her cheek after the incident on 6 May 2023, which began with a discussion about Meghan Markle and race.

The panel heard Munro “completely lost control of himself”. He was found guilty of gross misconduct on Wednesday.

Munro, former president of the National Black Police Association, had denied the allegations and said he was acting in self-defence.

Legally Qualified Chair (LQC) Jane Jones, who oversaw a three-day police misconduct hearing, said it was a “terrible irony” because of the officer’s expertise in helping to protect women and girls from violence, the Local Democracy Reporting Service was told.

Munro denied the allegations and said he was acting in self-defence

The hearing was told Witness A was being deliberately confrontational and provoked him when a conversation about race became heated and personal.

Neither of the victims can be named for legal reasons.

Ms Jones said he has police "experience and training" to "rise above provocation" and must take "full responsibility for his conduct".

“There was distress to both females. There is a significant reputational harm to the force," she said.

Ms Jones said although the assault was not premeditated, “once it started it should and could have stopped sooner”.

“We have held back from labelling the violence as gratuitous, but it was deliberate," she said.

Supt Mark Edgington said there is "no place in policing" for an officer who has assaulted a member of the public

The court was told the "personal mitigation centres on a long and distinguished police career in which the officer has made a significant contribution to policing”.

Ms Jones said in particular this included his work to help tackle violence against women and girls.

“There is a terrible irony here," she added.

Barrister Nick Walker, representing the officer, said Munro had "dedicated" his career to "advancing the cause of Black and Minority Ethnic officers locally and nationally".

“We invite you to step back from dismissal in this case. It related to off-duty conduct after considerable provocation.

“The public interest here is in the officer’s retention and not dismissal," he said.

Mr Walker said character references included one from a chief inspector who called him “inclusive and courageous”.

Supt Mark Edgington, head of Avon and Somerset Police's standards department, said: “Ultimately, there is no place in policing for an officer who is found to have assaulted any member of the public."