A COMMANDER who devised a police drug strategy took LSD and magic mushrooms, a hearing was told. Veteran officer Julian Bennett, in his 60s, used the Class A rave drugs as well as getting stoned on pot during holidays in France, it was claimed. He had drawn up the Met Police’s current anti-narcotics guidance in […]
A COMMANDER who devised a police drug strategy took LSD and magic mushrooms, a hearing was told.
Veteran officer Julian Bennett, in his 60s, used the Class A rave drugs as well as getting stoned on pot during holidays in France, it was claimed.
He had drawn up the Met Police’s current anti-narcotics guidance in 2018, a year before his alleged spree.
His report — Dealing With The Impact Of Drugs On Communities — set out plans to raise awareness about the dangers of illegal substances.
The £136,000-a-year officer has been suspended for 19 months on full pay following the accusations.
But his gross misconduct hearing was further delayed yesterday when Cmdr Bennett’s QC requested extra disclosure of potential evidence. The case was adjourned.
The officer, who joined the Met in 1977, denies three counts of discreditable conduct. But if proven, he could be fired and lose his pension entitlements.
Cmdr Bennett is also accused of refusing to provide a sample in July 2020.
He allegedly stated he could not have a test as he had taken cannabis oil for palsy, which he knew to be untrue.
The hearing was told a WhatsApp pic showed cannabis on a table and was part of the evidence. Tribunal chairman James Tumbridge adjourned the hearing until May 23.
Cmdr Bennett has chaired Met Police disciplinary tribunals himself and was said to have been nicknamed “Sacker” by junior officers.
He presided over 74 hearings, involving 90 officers, between June 2010 and February 2012.
In those cases, 56 of the officers — about 75 per cent — were sacked, with two being dismissed for drugs misuse.
