Metropolitan Police Officer Dismissed Following Assault Conviction in Parking Dispute
A serving Metropolitan Police officer has been dismissed from the force without notice after being convicted of assault by beating, following a physical altercation that left a local family "traumatised" and "terrified" according to official reports.
Court Conviction and Disciplinary Hearing
PC Daniel Traynor was convicted of assault by beating at Westminster Magistrates' Court on November 12, 2025, following an incident that occurred on November 29, 2024. The disciplinary hearing, which Traynor did not attend, found that his actions constituted gross misconduct and warranted immediate dismissal from the police service.
Panel Chair Commander Andy Brittain stated unequivocally: "Dismissal without notice was the only appropriate outcome which reflected the seriousness of this case." He emphasised that a trained police officer should be expected to uphold the law and de-escalate confrontational situations rather than engage in physical violence.
Details of the Confrontation
The incident began when PC Traynor returned to his East London home to find a vehicle blocking access to his property. After the vehicle's owner, Mr Smith, emerged from his home, what began as a conversation quickly escalated into a verbal argument between the two men.
According to evidence presented at the hearing, represented by Jennie Oborne for the appropriate authority:
- The argument turned physical when PC Traynor deliberately pushed Mr Smith with both hands
- This initial push caused Mr Smith to fall backwards
- Ring doorbell footage captured the subsequent altercation where Mr Smith punched PC Traynor before both men grappled and fell to the floor
- The footage documented the moments immediately before and after the physical confrontation
Failure to De-escalate
Commander Brittain highlighted that PC Traynor had multiple opportunities to disengage from the situation. As a serving police officer, he would have been aware of available support mechanisms and proper procedures for handling disputes.
"The Officer was convicted of a criminal offence of violence and a Final Written Warning would not reflect the seriousness of the Officer's behaviour," Commander Brittain stated. "The public would expect a trained police officer to uphold the law and to be able to de-escalate and know when to walk away from a heated situation."
The panel determined that the initial push by PC Traynor was "deliberate and targeted" and that he consciously chose to remain and continue the dispute rather than seeking appropriate assistance or removing himself from the escalating confrontation.
Impact on the Local Community
The incident has reportedly left the affected family deeply distressed, with official documentation describing them as "traumatised" by the officer's actions. This case raises significant questions about police conduct standards and the expectation that officers should model exemplary behaviour even in personal disputes.
The Metropolitan Police's decision to dismiss PC Traynor without notice underscores the force's commitment to maintaining public trust and holding officers accountable for criminal convictions, particularly those involving violence against members of the public.
