Police Officer Dismissed After Violent Confrontation with Pensioner
A Metropolitan Police officer has been permanently banned from policing after using unreasonable force against a pensioner during a confrontation outside a south London post office. PC Dan Loft was dismissed without notice following a gross misconduct hearing that found he pushed the elderly man over a wall and made inappropriate comments about his pension status.
The Incident at Purley Sorting Depot
The altercation occurred on November 6, 2024, when the pensioner, referred to as Mr A, visited the Royal Mail depot in Purley concerned about two valuable parcels he couldn't trace through the tracking service. According to the hearing, Mr A was instructed to wait until 8am to be served and was told to stand in front of a lorry.
When the vehicle moved towards him, Mr A felt intimidated and deliberately remained in position. This prompted the depot manager to call police, reporting the pensioner for obstructing Royal Mail operations.
Body Worn Camera footage revealed that when PC Loft arrived, Mr A asked if it was 8am yet. The officer shouted at him to move from the highway before pushing Mr A with both hands in the chest area, causing him to fall backwards onto his side and back.
Escalation and Arrest
The situation intensified when PC Loft was heard saying 'square up to me' before stepping into Mr A's personal space again and pushing him over a low wall. This time, the pensioner was only prevented from hitting the ground by PC Oladimeji and a passer-by.
During the standoff, Mr A requested his shoe which had come off. A third confrontation saw the police officer push Mr A on his upper shoulder and accuse him of committing criminal offences.
After Mr A walked away swearing and making a hand gesture, PC Loft arrested him under Section 4A of the Public Order Act and placed him in handcuffs. The pensioner was de-arrested shortly afterwards, but the handcuffs had caused bleeding injuries to his wrists.
Gross Misconduct Findings
The panel, chaired by Commander Katie Lilburn, found all allegations proven at the level of gross misconduct. They noted that while foul language was used by both parties during the exchange, Mr A's overall demeanour was 'one of shock and was non-aggressive'.
In a particularly controversial exchange, the shocked victim told PC Loft to 'remember who pays your wages'. The police officer responded: 'You're a pensioner, you don't pay my wages, I pay yours.'
PC Dan Loft has been placed on the College of Policing barred list, meaning he cannot be employed or appointed into any policing role in future. The Metropolitan Police has been approached for comment regarding the dismissal.
