A former police officer has been jailed following his conviction for sexual assault.
Former PC Archit Sharma, who was attached to the North Area Command Unit, was convicted of sexual assault at Wood Green Crown Court on Monday, 6 March. He resigned four days later.
On Friday, 9 June, at the same court, he was sentenced to 16 months’ imprisonment and will be on the Sex Offenders Register for ten years. He was also made the subject of a restraining order preventing him from contacting the victim for ten years and was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £156.
An allegation was received on 7 December 2020 that PC Sharma had sexually assaulted a colleague while both were on duty. Following an investigation, he was charged on 28 July 2021 and convicted as above.
At a misconduct hearing on Thursday, 8 June, it was alleged that former PC Sharma had breached Standards of Professional Behaviour in relation to Authority, Respect and Courtesy, and Discreditable Conduct.
The panel found the allegations proven and had he still be serving with the Met, former PC Sharma would have been dismissed.
The former officer will now be added to the Barred List held by the College of Policing. Those appearing on the list cannot be employed by police, local policing bodies (PCCs), the Independent Office for Police Conduct or Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services.
Detective Chief Superintendent Caroline Haines, responsible for local policing in Enfield and Haringey, said: “Former PC Sharma’s behaviour was abhorrent. His actions were a betrayal of our policing values.
“I hope that this outcome highlights how seriously we take reports of sexual offences, no matter who the perpetrator.
“Following his conviction, we began proceedings for an accelerated case hearing which has upheld the allegations of misconduct.”
