PC Alex MacFarlane to face misconduct hearing

Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) Constable Alex MacFarlane, 53, is to face a misconduct hearing, following an Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC)  investigation.

The IPCC carried out an investigation after a number of complaints made by a man, now aged 22, were referred to it by the MPS on 12 August 2011.

On 17 April this year the Crown Prosecution Service authorised the IPCC to summons PC MacFarlane to face a racially aggravated public order offence. Today a second jury failed to reach a verdict on that offence.

IPCC Commissioner Mike Franklin said:
"What is yet to be determined is whether PC MacFarlane has breached the conduct standards expected of police officers.

"In May the IPCC passed our findings of potential gross misconduct by PC MacFarlane, in relation to racist abuse, to the Metropolitan Police Service. Whether his behaviour is a breach of professional standards is something a misconduct hearing will decide upon.”

The IPCC received more than 60 referrals alleging racism in the MPS during a two-month period when all such complaints alleging racism were referred to the IPCC. A proportion of the complaints are subject to a supervised investigation and form part of a wider thematic review. This work will inform a report into the Metropolitan Police Service’s handling of racism complaints, which will be published in due course.

The IPCC is also conducting the following independent investigations:
• Assault involving a 15-year-old boy at Forest Gate police station (PC Joseph Harrington will appear at Southwark Crown Court next year)

• Racist comments made within a group of MPS officers (PC Kevin Hughes and PC David Hair both face two charges of public order offences, one of which is racially aggravated. They will appear before Westminster Magistrates' Court on 26 November)

• Public complaint made in January 2012 about an incident in December 2011 in which complainant alleges racial abuse. The complaint was referred to the IPCC on 13 February 2012 who decided the matter should be the subject of a local investigation by the MPS. Enquiries by the MPS failed to identify any officer near the vicinity at the time of the alleged incident. Since the matter was re-referred in April 2012 the MPS has identified a patrol car in the vicinity of the complaint. Given the lack of early action by the MPS in response to the complaint, the IPCC is independently investigating.

• Incident reported at Forest Gate Police Station following an arrest in Leytonstone, on 24 September 2011. Complainant alleges racial abuse and excessive force in custody.

 

Ends

 

Notes to editors: For media enquiries please contact the IPCC press office on 020 7166 3951.