A former Metropolitan Police constable, PC Richard Fieldhouse, served approximately three years before his deception surfaced in December 2022.
Background of Deception
During background checks, Hampshire Constabulary uncovered that Fieldhouse had falsified a statement and been found guilty in his absence. His assessment day in Guildford, Surrey, was canceled, and the force barred him from joining.
Undeterred, Fieldhouse applied to the Metropolitan Police in February 2019, declaring a driving job. He acknowledged his time with Hampshire and rejection by Surrey but falsely answered "no" to whether he had been admonished or faced discipline from any prior employer, regulator, or professional body. Four months later, he joined as a constable in London.
Disciplinary Hearing Outcome
Commander Stephen Clayman, who chaired the hearing, emphasized: "Honesty is a fundamental requirement of any police officer."
Clayman ruled Fieldhouse fully culpable, stating: "PC Fieldhouse deliberately omitted to disclose the disciplinary finding against him for personal financial gain, namely to gain employment with the Met." The panel assessed his culpability as "high" and noted "significant" reputational harm risk amid public concerns over recent vetting failures involving officers.
Fieldhouse did not attend the hearing at the Empress State Building near Earl’s Court. He disengaged from the process on January 27 and declined a Police Federation representative. Had he remained, dismissal without notice for discreditable conduct would have followed. He now faces placement on the College of Policing barred list.
Wider Vetting Concerns
Baroness Louise Casey’s 2023 review identified the Metropolitan Police as institutionally racist, misogynistic, and homophobic.
The Angiolini Inquiry last year determined that Wayne Couzens should never have been hired, with multiple missed opportunities to halt the predator. Serial offenders Wayne Couzens, David Carrick, and Cliff Mitchell were among 131 officers and staff who committed crimes or misconduct after inadequate vetting.
In January, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood declared: "Abandoning vetting checks on officers was a dereliction of the Met’s duty to keep London safe."
