Monday 7 June 2021

Over And Out: Police Sergeant Harassed Woman

A Police Sergeant's career has been destroyed by his “utterly shocking” harassment of a former witness he persistently contacted.

Syed Ali, 46, was attached to the East Area Command Unit when he used his work phone to send unwanted messages to the woman.

He first came into contact with her in 2015 when attached to SO15 – the Counter Terrorism Command.

At Westminster Magistrates’ Court he received six weeks imprisonment, suspended for eighteen months.

Ali was also ordered to complete 200 hours community service work; pay £200 compensation to the victim and was made subject to a three-year restraining order, prohibiting contact with the woman.

He pleaded guilty to one count of harassment.

The sentencing follows an investigation led by the Directorate of Professional Standards, Specialist Investigation Unit.

An allegation was made on July 18, last year that Ali harassed a female member of the public between May and July 2020.

In May 2020, Ali began to engage in unwanted and inappropriate contact with the witness he had contact with in 2015 by messaging her on his work phone.

The woman stated by message that she did not want him to contact her, but Ali persisted. 

The harassment continued through to July 2020.

The harassment was reported and Ali was arrested on July 23 at Ilford Police Station.

Chief Superintendent Stephen Clayman, BCU Commander for the East Area which covers Barking and Dagenham, Havering and Redbridge, said: The way in which Ali conducted himself is utterly shocking.

This type of conduct has absolutely no place in the organisation and we are committed to bringing the perpetrators of such crimes to justice.”

Ali resigned from the Metropolitan Police on April 30 after entering his guilty plea.

His actions will be referred to an accelerated misconduct hearing in light of his conviction. 

If the matter is proven as Gross Misconduct, Ali will placed upon the College of Policing Barred List, which would prohibit any future police employment.

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