Metropolitan Police Officer Dismissed for Operating Coffee Shop Business While Suspended
A police officer has been fired after it was discovered he was secretly running a coffee shop business while receiving his full salary from the force during suspension. PC Stanley Kennett, aged 31, was employed by the Metropolitan Police when he operated The Coffee Cycle, a business based within a bicycle shop in Storrington, West Sussex.
Failed Business Registration and Continued Operations
In April 2024, while suspended from duty, Kennett attempted to register his coffee shop venture as a business interest with the police force. This request was formally rejected by the authorities. Despite not appealing this decision, he continued to work at and promote the coffee shop, engaging actively on social media to grow the business.
The misconduct hearing concluded that his actions constituted gross misconduct. As a result, PC Kennett has been dismissed from the Metropolitan Police and placed on the College of Policing's barred list, preventing him from working in any policing role in the United Kingdom.
Commander's Statement on the Case
Commander Andy Brittain of the Metropolitan Police Service provided a detailed statement regarding the case. He emphasized that this was not a minor volunteering effort but a fully developed business operation. The business involved incorporation, the provision of a director's loan, and the employment of staff members.
Brittain noted that Kennett's active promotion of the business on social media platforms demonstrated a clear understanding and involvement in its operations. This undermined any claims that he lacked the capacity to comprehend the consequences of his actions during the relevant period.
Commander Brittain stated:"Running a business, whether for financial gain or not, whilst suspended on full pay, brings policing and the MPS in particular into disrepute. Members of the public would not expect serving police officers to act in this way."Context of Other Police Misconduct Cases
This incident occurs amidst other notable cases of police misconduct in the United Kingdom. In a separate matter, an officer from Avon and Somerset Police, referred to as Sergeant X, has been barred from law enforcement after using a work-from-home deception tactic.
She was found to have placed a picture frame on her keyboard to simulate activity and prevent her laptop from entering sleep mode. An investigation revealed her keystroke counts were significantly higher than colleagues in similar roles, leading to her dismissal and barring from policing.
These cases highlight ongoing issues within police forces regarding professional standards and the expectations placed on officers, both during active duty and periods of suspension. The Metropolitan Police Service continues to address such misconduct to maintain public trust and integrity within the force.
