Met Police sergeant James Harris sacked after headbutting partygoer at Hitchin wedding reception

A sergeant in the Metropolitan Police has been dismissed without notice after he attacked a man at a wedding in Hitchin.

PS James Harris was charged with one count of actual bodily harm after he headbutted a man at a wedding reception in Hitchin on June 30, 2018. Herts Police conducted an investigation, but the prosecution case was withdrawn by the Crown Prosecution Service.

However, at a misconduct hearing held last week, an independent legally-qualified chair found the allegations were proven at the level of gross misconduct.

Chief Superintendent Dan Knowles, in charge of policing in the North West Command Unit, said: "Police officers have to maintain the highest standards of behaviour on, and off, duty and headbutting someone is completely unacceptable.

"We need police officers who are calm and composed and help to de-escalate situations.

"It is clear that PS Harris lost control of himself on this occasion and has now paid the price of losing his job as a police officer."

According to the hearing, PS Harris breached the standards of professional behaviour as set out in respect of discreditable conduct. PS Harris who had served in the Met's North West Command Unit - was dismissed without notice and has been placed on the College of Policing Barred List.