A Metropolitan Police officer who ran a pizza business while claiming he was too sick to work has been sacked for gross misconduct. PC Jake Swash was caught managing the food establishment and carrying out day-to-day operations despite being certified unfit for duty and receiving full pay from the Met.
The Roads and Transport Policing Command officer was found to have been actively involved in running the business during his sick leave period. An internal investigation revealed Swash was performing managerial duties whilst claiming he was unable to work, breaching professional standards expected of police officers.
The misconduct panel dismissed Swash without notice after concluding his actions constituted gross misconduct. The Metropolitan Police said integrity and honesty are fundamental to policing, and officers must uphold the highest standards whether on or off duty—particularly when claiming sick pay.
The case comes as the Met faces heightened scrutiny over its internal culture and professional standards. The force has committed to reform programmes aimed at rebuilding public confidence, with this dismissal highlighting ongoing efforts to tackle misconduct within its ranks.
The incident threatens to damage public trust in police integrity at a time when the force is working to demonstrate its commitment to ethical policing. The Met continues reviewing internal processes to prevent similar breaches and reinforce standards of honesty and duty amongst officers.