An Indian-based former Met police officer has been jailed for sexually assaulting a fellow officer while on duty in London. He was with the North Area Command Unit and was convicted at Wood Green Crown Court on March 6. He resigned from his job four days later.
The assaulter, identified as PC Archit Sharma, has been sentenced to 16 months imprisonment and will be on the Sex Offender Register for 10 years. He has a restraining order preventing him from contacting the victim for 10 years and was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of 156 pounds.
An allegation was received against Sharma on December 7; an investigation has been ongoing since then. The Court said Sharma had breached Standards of Professional Behaviour in relation to Authority, Respect and Courtesy, and Discreditable Conduct.
Sharma will now be added to the Barred List held by the College of Policing. He cannot be part of any form of policing activities, including Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services.
His higher-ups felt the outcome highlights how seriously they take reports of sexual offenses, no matter who the perpetrator is.
