A Metropolitan Police officer has been let go for not revealing his arrest on allegations of driving under the influence and an inquiry regarding firearm possession.

PC Mohammed Bhatti faced accusations from his former partner of threatening her with two handguns, prompting a search of his residence by Sussex Police. He was subsequently arrested by the same department for “operating a motor vehicle with an excessive amount of alcohol” following a car accident in 2008, according to the Met Police.

When completing police vetting documents in 2020, however, Bhatti stated that he had neither been arrested nor subjected to any investigations.

During a later misconduct hearing, he claimed he had “misinterpreted the wording” of the form.

The hearing, conducted in December, determined that his conduct constituted gross misconduct, leading to his immediate dismissal.

Known as Oz, Bhatti began his career as a police community support officer in 2003 and became a police constable in 2009. In 2017, he featured in a BBC documentary titled The Met Policing London.

The hearing revealed that Bhatti had been arrested in 2008 following an incident in which he crashed into four sets of railings. Although Sussex Police found his blood alcohol concentration to be below the legal threshold, they did not pursue any charges.

Bhatti claimed he could not remember engaging with officers or the circumstances of his arrest.

From October 2011 to August 2012, he was investigated by both Sussex and Greater Manchester Police for alleged firearm offences.

His former partner’s accusations led to the search of his home by Sussex Police. Bhatti later voluntarily attended an interview after a BB gun and a gas-powered weapon were confiscated from his bedroom; both were deemed to be “legal weapons.”

At the misconduct hearing, he maintained that the allegations made by his ex-partner were “maliciously fabricated and false.”

The hearing also revealed his failure to inform the Met Police about the car accident; however, he did notify his supervisor regarding the firearm investigation, though he was uncertain if he had communicated this to Professional Standards.

Some colleagues provided character references at the hearing, with one officer describing him as having “exemplary character” as a police officer.

Cdr Katie Lilburn, chairing the hearing, concluded that Bhatti had a “clear obligation” to disclose the arrest and inquiry on the 2020 vetting form.

“I have determined that PC Bhatti lacked transparency and honesty, and by omitting such crucial details, he purposefully aimed to conceal information for his personal benefit,” she stated.

While Bhatti acknowledged that he had breached the professional standards regarding orders and instructions, he denied the charge of gross misconduct.