Former PC Phillip Hunter outcome summary

Misconduct hearing outcome 

Officer concerned: Former PC Phillip Hunter

Dates of hearing: 1 and 2 August 2024

Summary

A former officer who sent inappropriate messages to women he met during the course of his duties would have been dismissed had he still been serving.

PC Philip Hunter, previously attached to West Area, gave a victim of crime his private phone number and while they did not meet again in person, he went onto send her a number of inappropriate messages.

Commander Katie Lilburn, who leads the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards said: 'I do not underestimate the affect that this matter has had on this victim. Having met with her on a number of occasions, I fully understand the deep impact this has had. I want to be clear, it is unacceptable for any officer to abuse their position of trust and I would like to acknowledge and apologise for the distress this has caused.

I also recognise that her experience with the Met’s Professional Standards has been prolonged and difficult which has compounded her distress. I wish to extend my apology for the additional distress this has caused and would like to personally acknowledge the resilience of the victim over the past several years, who has remained determined to see that this matter be brought to a proper disciplinary conclusion.

The Commissioner has been clear he wants timeliness in the misconduct system improved and we are committed to doing all we can to ensure cases are concluded as swiftly and efficiently as possible.'

Former PC Hunter left the Met in May 2019. At that time he was subject to disciplinary proceedings and a hearing in 2020 into a different matter found that had he still been serving, he would have been dismissed. This means he is already on a national list barring him from serving again as a police officer.

Decision

If former PC Phillip Hunter had still been serving, he would have been dismissed. He will be placed on the College of Policing Barred list.