A Met Police commander who ran policing operations at King Charles’ Coronation and Queen Elizabeth’s funeral is being probed over an alleged misuse of a Jaguar.
Commander Karen Findlay is on restricted duties after it was alleged she dodged prosecutions for dashing and going by means of crimson lights in her private time.
However the 56-year-old is suspected of falsely saying she was on responsibility on the time.
The Solar reported that she is being investigated by the Impartial Workplace for Police Conduct over allegations of gross misconduct and perverting the course of justice.
She was in line to change into assistant commissioner on the British Transport Police, however it’s reported this has since been placed on maintain.
Met Police commander Karen Findlay (above) who ran policing operations at King Charles ‘ Coronation and Queen Elizabeth’s funeral is being probed over an alleged misuse of a Jaguar
King Charles speaks to Deputy Assistant Commissioner Jane Connors, Karen Findlay and Commissioner Mark Rowley in 2022
Dame Lynne Owens and Karen Findlay arrive on the Cupboard Workplace for a gathering in March 2023
She had the automotive when overseeing the policing of Queen Elizabeth’s funeral two years in the past, and the King’s Coronation final yr.
It was returned to The Met on the finish of 2023 – together with a £42,000 invoice, it’s alleged.
An IOPC spokesperson instructed The Solar: ‘A senior Met Police officer is underneath gross misconduct and legal investigation for the potential offence of perverting the course of justice.’
It’s ‘a part of an investigation into allegations that the officer used police automobiles for private use in breach of pressure coverage and did not observe the correct course of following receipt of notices of supposed prosecution for driving offences.’
It isn’t the primary time she’s hit the headlines just lately.
On-line trolls have been blasted by the Met Police for ‘vile’ and ‘homophobic’ feedback on the promotion of the ‘distinctive’ officer.
Scottish police officer Cdr Findlay obtained a flood of offensive feedback after the British Transport Police (BTP) posted a photograph of her on social media to commemorate her appointment as Assistant Chief Constable.
Whereas a Superintendent, Karen Findlay (second left) appeared on The Met Policing London
She ran policing operations on the Coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla in 2023
Harlequins women Co-Head Coach Karen Findlay provides orders in the course of the heat up in the course of the Harlequins Women v Loughborough Lightning Tyrrells Premier 15s match in January 2018
Met Chief Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley stated in an announcement: ‘I’m offended. My colleagues are offended. It is not acceptable and it is occurring too typically.’ When the Cdr was focused by trolls
The put up of her appointment prompted a whole lot of homophobic and sexist posts and messages about her look, which each the Met and BTP hit again at on-line
The outrageous response prompted each BTP and the Met Police to deal with the backlash, slamming it as ‘vile, nasty and homophobic’
The outrageous response prompted each BTP and the Met Police to deal with the backlash, slamming it as ‘vile, nasty and homophobic’.
BTP posted on X: ‘We’re delighted to announce our new ACC Karen Findlay LVO KPM. An enormous welcome to Karen, becoming a member of us from@metpoliceuk in 2024.’
But it surely prompted a whole lot of homophobic and sexist posts and messages about her look.
Cdr Findlay hit again on the misogynistic feedback, posting on X: ‘As feminine officers and employees colleagues, inside policing and in some other job, our skilled expertise, contribution & dedication ought to be the main target.
‘NOT the vile misogynistic, homophobic, sexist vileness skilled. It isn’t okay, and neither is being silent on it.’
The highest officer, who’s a rugby coach and former worldwide participant for Scotland, was appointed Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order within the 2024 New Yr Honours listing for her providers on the Coronation and the Queen’s funeral.
She has additionally been awarded the King’s Police Medal, and had an necessary position within the police co-ordination crew that labored on safety for the in the course of the 2012 Olympics.
The Chief Constable Lucy D’Orsi of BTP stated in an announcement on the time: ‘Yesterday, British Transport Police posted to announce Karen Findlay as our new Assistant Chief Constable.
‘I’ve been shocked to see how many individuals took our put up, which was celebrating the appointment of a senior girl in policing, as a possibility to reply with vile, nasty and homophobic messages.
‘Karen is an distinctive chief and public order commander with over 30 years of expertise – I’m dissatisfied her achievements aren’t the reason for the dialog.
‘Though I’m disgusted by the replies, I’ve determined to go away the put up as much as highlight the misogyny that ladies in policing proceed to face.
‘However ignoring it might not mirror my values, or the values of my pressure.
‘In policing, we perceive the worth of public scrutiny; we welcome conversations about policing, actions and the way we will enhance However let me be clear, I can’t settle for bullying.’
Met Chief Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley additionally expressed his outrage on the vitriolic marketing campaign of abuse in opposition to the embellished officer, and admitted the extent of abuse police confronted on-line was turning into ‘more and more alarming’.
In an announcement launched on-line, Sir Mark added: ‘I’m offended. My colleagues are offended. It is not acceptable and it is occurring too typically.
‘The depth of the racist, sexist, and homophobic abuse directed at cops on social media is more and more alarming. At a time when we have to entice officers from under-represented components of our communities that is massively damaging.’
Posting on X, the Met Police stated: ‘It is deeply regrettable that what ought to have been a second to have fun for @KarenFindlayMPS has been soured by the vile sexist and homophobic replies to the announcement of her appointment.’
Karen Findlay obtained a flood of offensive feedback after the British Transport Police (BTP) posted a photograph of her to commemorate her appointment as Assistant Chief Constable
Karen Findlay, Co-head Coach of Harlequins Ladies appears to be like on previous to the Tyrrells Premier 15s match between Harlequins Ladies and Bristol Bears Ladies at Twickenham Stoop in 2019
It added in an announcement: ‘Law enforcement officials are more and more subjected to on-line abuse that merely would not be accepted offline The abuse directed at feminine officers and people from various backgrounds is usually notably private and hurtful.
‘As organisations just like the Met attempt to change into anti-discriminatory, each in relation to our communities and our workforce, some components of social media are shifting within the different route.
‘All of us must do higher, being respectful to one another and difficult all those that usually are not.
‘Congratulations to Karen on her very nicely deserved appointment. The Met’s loss is completely BTP’s achieve. We sit up for persevering with to work intently along with her in her new position.’
Feedback responding to the forces’ defence of the Cdr have been equally stunning, telling the authorities to ‘develop a spine’ and labelling it ’embarrassing’ that they have been keen to talk out in opposition to the net trolls.
One learn: ‘Embarrassing the police feeling sorry for themselves in tweets. Actual coppers would get on with it..
Different feedback known as it ‘field ticking’ and hit out on the pressure being the ‘thought police’, undeterred by the statements addressing the trolling.
The backlash led to many supportive feedback of the officer, from these inside and out of policing.
TV character Rob Rinder posted: ‘We solely hear about policing failures by no means their successes.
‘They are not good and do not declare to be. Karen Findlay has devoted her life to conserving the general public – all of us – protected. She ought to be thanked by all of us. As a substitute this.’
Assistant Commissioner Pippa Mills of the Met Police posted: ‘A revered, operationally skilled and credible chief taking the subsequent step in her policing profession.
‘The wave of congratulations from colleagues are testomony to Karen’s status.
‘The disgusting sexist and homophobic feedback from a number of anon accounts do not dignify a response.’
In December of final yr, whereas she was serving within the Met Police, she was recognised within the New Yr Honours listing.
She known as the awards she obtained a ‘beautiful, surprising shock’.
Initially serving in Grampian Police within the northeast of Scotland, she transferred to the Met in 1993.
MailOnline has contacted the Met Police and BTP for remark.
