An officer with the South West Basic Command Unit of the police, PC Sam Grigg, has pleaded guilty to charges of false imprisonment and assault in Kingston Crown Court. The incident occurred while Grigg was off duty at a residence in Twickenham on December 2 and was reported on December 6. Grigg was arrested on December 8 and has been suspended from duty since.
The victim, a woman in her 20s, sustained minor injuries but did not require hospitalization. Grigg and the victim are known to each other. Commander Jon Savell of the Metropolitan Police’s professional standards team has stated that Grigg’s actions were completely unacceptable and that it is a cause for concern among members of the public. He has let down both the police force and his colleagues, who are dedicated to keeping the people of London safe.
Savell also stated that the police force took immediate action to suspend Grigg from duty when the offense came to light and that they will commence misconduct proceedings at the earliest opportunity. The Metropolitan Police is determined to maintain the trust of the public and have officers that people feel comfortable approaching. When an officer fails to meet these standards, they will take action to remove them from the organization.
PC Grigg has been remanded in custody and will be sentenced on February 10 at the same court. It is hoped that this case serves as a reminder that the actions of police officers, both on and off duty, are held to a high standard and that any violations will be taken seriously and dealt with accordingly.
It is essential that the police maintain the trust and respect of the community they serve. Incidents like this can damage that trust, but it is important to remember that the actions of one individual do not reflect the values and integrity of the entire police force. The vast majority of officers work tirelessly every day to keep their communities safe and uphold the law.