Rachel Bright’s actions were ‘wholly unacceptable’
A police sergeant who inappropriately touched a woman during a night out has been sacked from the Metropolitan Police, the force said.
Acting sergeant Rachel Bright was suspended from duty in 2023 after being charged with one 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 she was off duty.
She was found not guilty of sexual assault by the jury at Kingston Crown Court, but the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards pursued a misconduct hearing.
The panel found Bright, who was attached to the South West Command Unit, had committed gross misconduct.
The misconduct hearing was told she repeatedly demonstrated inappropriate behaviour towards a woman she knew by touching her in a deliberate and unsolicited manner, according to the Met.
The panel found the allegations proven and concluded Bright had breached the standards of professional behaviour in respect of 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 be placed on the College of Policing Barred List which will prevent her from working in policing in the future.
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