Met Police officer sacked for sending explicit messages to 16-year-old boy
The officer was dismissed without notice and placed on the College of Policing’s barred list after a misconduct hearing
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Named former commander Katie Lilburn and direct quote from hearing provide source and document evidence.
Higher is stronger
Includes a direct quote from the hearing chair, specific names and clear separation of facts.
Higher is stronger
Headline uses loaded term “vile”, giving sensational tone beyond neutral reporting.
Lower is better
A Metropolitan Police officer was dismissed without notice in 2025 after sending explicit sexual messages and an image of his penis to a 16-year-old boy. The messages were exchanged on the Kik app in April 2025, according to a misconduct hearing chaired by former police commander Katie Lilburn.
The National Crime Agency accessed the officer’s messages after Kik flagged the boy as at risk of online child exploitation. The agency found discussions about meeting at a hotel and the exchange of explicit images, including one sent by the officer.
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Misconduct hearing and barred list
Lilburn ruled that the officer had committed gross misconduct. She imposed a sanction of dismissal without notice and placed the officer on the College of Policing’s public barred list. The barred list prevents the officer from working in policing in England and Wales.
The Met Police told MyLondon it could not name the officer due to a decision made by Lilburn. A spokesperson said the chair may consider factors such as the officer’s private life, safety, and the fairness of proceedings when deciding whether to disclose a name.
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The sanction I impose is dismissal without notice and that Officer X be placed on the College of Policing’s public barred list.
Katie Lilburn, former police commander and chair of the misconduct hearing
What happens next
The officer remains unnamed, and the Met Police has not indicated whether further action, such as criminal proceedings, will follow. The College of Policing’s barred list ensures the officer cannot rejoin any police force in England and Wales.
The National Crime Agency has not commented on whether it will pursue additional investigations. The victim’s identity and current status remain undisclosed.
Questions this report answers
+Why was the Met Police officer dismissed?
The officer was dismissed for gross misconduct after sending explicit messages and an image of his penis to a 16-year-old boy on the Kik app in April 2025. The National Crime Agency accessed the messages after Kik flagged the boy as at risk of exploitation.
+Can the officer work in policing again?
No. The officer was placed on the College of Policing’s public barred list, which prevents him from working in any police force in England and Wales. This followed a misconduct hearing chaired by Katie Lilburn.
+Why hasn’t the officer been named?
The Met Police said the officer’s name cannot be released due to a decision by the misconduct hearing’s chair, Katie Lilburn. Factors considered include privacy, safety, and the fairness of proceedings.
+What role did the National Crime Agency play?
The National Crime Agency accessed the officer’s messages after Kik flagged the 16-year-old boy as at risk of online child exploitation. The agency found discussions about meeting at a hotel and the exchange of explicit images.
News London Desk
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