A former City of London Police officer convicted for assaulting a child while off-duty has been found to have breached professional standards, weeks after he resigned.
Incident Details
Former Police Constable Manpreet Callo was arrested by Essex Police for common assault on October 24, 2025, after an allegation that he grabbed the arm of a passing 12-year-old boy and tried to give him money. He was suspended by the City of London Police as soon as the force was notified of his arrest, and he resigned in March 2026.
Misconduct Hearing Findings
A City of London Police report published following a misconduct hearing on April 14 states the incident was witnessed by staff at a nearby leisure centre who challenged the former PC. The report notes: "Former PC Callo then claimed that he was a police officer and showed a photo to the witness of him wearing a police uniform. Former PC Callo is said to have been drunk at the time of this incident. Essex Police attended and arrested Former PC Callo for common assault."
Mr. Callo was convicted at Chelmsford Magistrates Court of assault by beating on December 3, 2025. On January 12, he was issued a £400 fine and ordered to pay £110 in costs and £150 in compensation.
Gross Misconduct Ruling
The force's report, authored by Commissioner Peter O'Doherty, notes Mr. Callo entered a guilty plea and accepted responsibility, but that his actions "represent a clear breach of the Standards of Professional Behaviour, namely discreditable conduct." The Commissioner continued that although the former officer has resigned, he is satisfied the conduct amounts to gross misconduct. As such, he found the officer would have been dismissed and directed that his details be placed on the barred list, meaning he cannot apply to be an officer in any force.
Police Response
Detective Superintendent Thomas Hill, Head of Professional Standards Department at the City of London Police, said: "Our thoughts are with the victim and all those affected by PC Callo's actions. PC Callo was off duty and intoxicated when he assaulted a child in a public place. His actions have no place in the City of London Police and affect the public's trust and confidence in policing. We are grateful to the members of the public who expressed concerns about Callo's behaviour and rightly called the police. The officer was suspended immediately when we were notified of the arrest. He resigned from the City of London Police on 25 March 2026. Had the former officer still been a serving officer, he would have been dismissed. He will be placed on the College of Policing Barred List."
