Cop Axed After Bizarre Handcuff Fiasco
PC Powell Booted Over Integrity Breach
Police officer Robert Powell has been sacked following a shock misconduct hearing. The South East Command Unit cop faced serious allegations over his conduct during a New Year’s Eve stop in Bexleyheath back in 2019.
Shady Handcuff Swap Sparks Investigation
- On 31 December 2019, officers stopped a car and detained a group for a drug search.
- One male suspect was handcuffed but managed to make a daring escape.
- PC Powell later met the man—who still had the handcuffs—with a promise no arrest would follow.
- After getting the handcuffs back, Powell falsely reported that the cuffs were tossed from a moving vehicle that sped off without stopping.
Integrity Standards Failed, Dismissal Follows
On 21 July, an independent panel slammed Powell for breaching ‘Honesty and Integrity’ standards. The other charges of ‘Duties and Responsibilities’ and ‘Discreditable Conduct’ were dropped.
Powell faced the axe immediately, dismissed without notice.
