A former Met police officer made sexual comments and showed an explicit image to a female colleague.

A misconduct hearing found that Acting Police Sergeant James O’Sullivan breached professional standards when the incident occurred in a pub in the NW1 area in July 2020.

O’Sullivan was attached to the Met’s North West Command Unit which covers Barnet, Brent and Harrow.

O’Sullivan was off duty when he made the inappropriate comments towards a junior female officer, showed her an explicit image and made a lewd gesture towards her.

The matter was reported, leading to a formal investigation.

O’Sullivan had been on restricted duties before the hearing, and had resigned from his position on November 6 of this year.

The Met said that had he still been serving at the time of the hearing, he would have been dismissed without notice.

North West commander Detective Superintendent Barry Loader said: “I would like to commend the officers who came forward to report O’Sullivan’s actions. I hope this sends a clear message that inappropriate behaviour will not be tolerated in the Police Service.”

O’Sullivan will be added to the barred list held by the College of Policing. Those appearing on the list cannot be employed by police, local policing bodies (PCCs), the Independent Office for Police Conduct or Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services.