A Metropolitan Police officer has been sacked without notice after secretly running a coffee business in breach of force rules. PC Jonathan Theron, based at South Area Command Unit, was dismissed following a misconduct hearing that found he had operated the venture without declaring it to his superiors.
The hearing, which concluded on Tuesday, heard that Theron had established and run his coffee business whilst serving as a police constable. All Met officers must seek approval before engaging in any business interests outside their policing duties - a requirement designed to prevent conflicts of interest and ensure officers can perform their duties effectively.
The misconduct panel found Theron had breached professional standards on business interests and honesty and integrity. Despite being aware of the force's policy on secondary employment, he chose not to follow correct procedures to seek approval for his venture.
The Met maintains strict rules on officers' outside business interests to preserve public trust and prevent any perception of impropriety. Officers must complete formal declarations allowing the force to assess potential risks before approval is granted.
Theron's dismissal highlights the Met's stance on professional standards, with disciplinary action for undeclared business interests ranging from written warnings to dismissal depending on the severity of the breach. The force regularly reminds personnel of their responsibilities to declare external business activities to maintain transparency and public confidence.