Met Police sergeant sacked after inappropriately touching woman at London bar

A Metropolitan Police officer who inappropriately touched a woman during a night out has been sacked from the force, Scotland Yard officials have confirmed.

Acting sergeant Rachel Bright was suspended from duty in 2023 after being charged with a single count of sexual assault.

She faced trial the following year for allegedly touching a woman without her consent at a bar in Clapham, south London, in December 2022 while off duty.

Although a jury at Kingston Crown Court found her not guilty of sexual assault, the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards pursued internal misconduct proceedings.

The disciplinary panel determined that Bright, who worked within the South West Command Unit, had committed gross misconduct.

According to the Met, the misconduct hearing was told she repeatedly showed inappropriate behaviour towards a woman she knew through deliberate and unsolicited physical contact.

The allegations were found proven, with the panel concluding Bright breached standards of professional behaviour regarding discreditable conduct.

Chief Superintendent Dan Knowles said: "I would like to firstly thank the woman who reported Acting Sgt Bright for the courage she has shown throughout this process.

"Acting Sgt Bright’s actions were wholly unacceptable and fell far short of the standards expected of police officers.

"Anyone who fails to uphold our standards should expect to be held accountable."

Bright will now be placed on the official College of Policing Barred List, which will prevent her from holding any future position within the police service going forward.