A “high-ranking” south-east London police officer, who allegedly bought and took illegal substances, and ‘attended drug-fuelled gatherings’, has been sacked.
When police searched Detective Inspector Warren Arter’s home in 2018, they reportedly discovered drug paraphernalia like ‘metal straws and mini scales’.
The officer, who was attached to South East Command covering Lewisham, Greenwich and Bexley, was dismissed and banned from policing on Wednesday, May 24, following a three-day misconduct hearing.
An Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) spokesperson said there was “no place… for officers who do not respect and adhere to the laws they are expected to uphold”.
DI Arter was first arrested by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) in December 2016.
Officers seized his mobile phone and iPad and allegedly found evidence, in the form of images and text messages, of him possessing drugs.
The Met Police said Arter was suspended from the force in 2017. An IOPC investigation began in 2018.
In October 2018, the IOPC searched Arter’s home and allegedly seized metal straws and mini scales bearing traces of cocaine.
They are also said to have found a grip seal bag containing traces of MDMA.
The Met said DI Arter was taken into custody, where he tested positive for cocaine, and was interviewed under caution.
He declined to answer any questions during the interview.
In June 2020, the IOPC advised that DI Arter face a hearing over alleged gross misconduct.
The case was referred to the Crown Prosecution Service which decided ‘not to authorise charges’.
During the misconduct hearing, the panel heard evidence that Arter purchased and consumed controlled drugs.
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He was also accused of failing to intervene when attending gatherings where drugs were openly consumed.
The panel also heard he did not take action when he was aware a man he knew was providing drugs to a woman in exchange for sex.
It decided that DI Arter was guilty of gross misconduct and had breached police standards.
The News asked why the misconduct hearing only concluded in 2023 – some five years after the Arter’s alleged misconduct.
A Met Police spokesperson confirmed there had been a delay but said it could not elaborate why because it was “personal info”.
IOPC Regional Director Mel Palmer said: “There can be no place in policing for officers who do not respect and adhere to the laws they are expected to uphold.
“It is right this officer has been placed on the College of Policing barred list, meaning he cannot work in policing.”