METROPOLITAN POLICE OFFICER FOUND DEAD AT KENSINGTON STATION

A long-serving Metropolitan Police constable was found dead on the roof of Kensington police station in West London on Thursday. Colleagues had reported the response vehicle driver missing to a Home Counties police force covering his home address after he failed to attend his shift that day. Officers located his body at the station later on Thursday. The Metropolitan Police stated that there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death.

The officer was scheduled to attend a misconduct hearing on 11 November after failing a random workplace alcohol breath test in July. The Home Office sets the alcohol limit for police officers at 13 micrograms per 100 millilitres of breath. The force had placed the constable on restricted duties while the disciplinary proceedings remained pending. A close colleague wrote in a tribute that "the blue line will never be the same" and described him as "a true legend".

The Metropolitan Police referred the death to the police watchdog and confirmed that an inquest will take place. A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: "We are supporting our officers and staff through this difficult period of grief." The Police Federation recently raised concerns regarding suicides among police officers. Retired Metropolitan Police Detective Chief Inspector Mick Neville said: "Chief constables need to change the way they treat vulnerable staff facing misconduct proceedings."