Overview

• Commander Julian Bennett was found guilty of gross misconduct for refusing a lawful urine test on July 21, 2020, and his dismissal was upheld at a fresh hearing on June 3, 2025.
• His initial October 2023 dismissal was quashed by the Police Appeals Tribunal in July 2024, prompting a new misconduct hearing instead of a judicial review.
• Bennett, who authored the Met’s 2017–21 drugs strategy and chaired misconduct panels, remained on full pay suspension throughout the entire five-year process.
• Scotland Yard has moved to add Bennett to the College of Policing’s barred list, preventing him from any future policing roles or related positions.
• Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist criticised the prolonged suspension as a public funds drain and pledged to fast-track cases where evidence is clear.