Met Police officer was caught in a sting operation by his own colleagues

A former Metropolitan Police officer quit the force shortly before a misconduct hearing into his solicitation of a prostitute in Edmonton.

Tristan Downing was attached to the Met’s central north command unit and faced an accelerated misconduct hearing on Friday 15th July following his guilty plea at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in February, when he answered charges of soliciting the services of a prostitute.

Downing was arrested during a police operation in Edmonton in January. Plain-clothes officers watched as he drove up in a hire car, solicited and paid for the services of a prostitute, before receiving oral sex in a nearby cul-de-sac.

Downing resigned from the Metropolitan Police Service and his last working day was 14th July. The next day, deputy commissioner Helen Ball found the allegations of discreditable conduct proven as gross misconduct and concluded that, had Downing still been serving, he would have been dismissed without notice.

Commander Andy Carter, who is in charge of policing in Camden and Islington where Downing worked, said: “We expect the highest standards of behaviour from our officers both on and off duty and this officer’s actions fell way below these expectations.

“He was caught as the result of a proactive operation targeting those who exploit sex workers.

“The Met is committed to rooting out all officers who break the law or are involved in dishonest or disreputable behaviour.”

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