James Harris headbutted a man at the reception Hitchin while off duty in 2018

Lamp with Metropolitan Police inscribed on the blue panes — Credit – LDRS

A police sergeant based in the area that covers Barnet has been dismissed without notice for headbutting a man at a wedding reception.

PS James Harris, who worked for the Met’s North West Command Unit, was charged with actual bodily harm after the incident in Hitchin in June 2018.

The case was withdrawn by the Crown Prosecution Service but a misconduct hearing led by an Independent Legally Qualified Chair on 11th May found the allegations proven at the level of gross misconduct.

PS Harris has been dismissed without notice and will be placed on the College of Policing Barred List.

Chief Superintendent Dan Knowles of the North West Command Unit, said: “Police officers have to maintain the highest standards of behaviour on, and off, duty and headbutting someone is completely unacceptable.”

He added: “We need police officers who are calm and composed and help to de-escalate situations. It is clear that PS Harris lost control of himself on this occasion and has now paid the price of losing his job as a police officer.”

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