Nigerian-British officer dismiss for biting colleague at birthday party
The Metropolitan Police in the United Kingdom has terminated the employment of PC Shola Balogun, a Nigerian-British officer, following an incident where he was found guilty of biting a colleague.
The event unfolded on April 22, 2022, at an officer’s 40th birthday celebration at Goals Sports Bar in Bexleyheath, South East London, which was attended by 70 people.
During the proceedings, a fellow officer, who wished to remain anonymous, reported that PC Shola Balogun arrived in a state of extreme drunkenness.
Throughout the evening, Balogun continued to consume alcohol, becoming significantly intoxicated, a fact confirmed by other officers.
Around 11:30 pm, the officer who was later involved in a confrontation with Balogun was ascending a flight of stairs when he encountered Balogun in front of him. In a moment of aggression, Balogun removed the victim’s glasses and dropped them on the floor.
The victim attempted to respond in a friendly manner, but Balogun then pushed him.
Shortly after the incident, the victim reported Balogun’s behavior to his superiors. The two were only a few feet apart due to the loud music.
At this juncture, Balogun made the decision to lean forward and bite the officer on his right cheek.
Balogun asserted that he did not push or bite his colleague, but the panel, unconvinced, particularly after discovering a medical report indicating a suspected bite mark on the officer’s face.
A subsequent hearing concluded that Balogun’s conduct was so egregious that a Final Written Warning was deemed insufficient as a sanction.
The panel found, after considering the evidence on the balance of probabilities, that on April 22, 2022, while off duty at Goals Bexleyheath, PC Balogun assaulted another PC by biting him.