Met Police commander who ran policing operations at King Charles’ Coronation and Queen Elizabeth’s funeral is probed over alleged misuse of a Jaguar

A Met Police commander who ran policing operations at King Charles’ Coronation and Queen Elizabeth’s funeral is being probed over an alleged misuse of a Jaguar.

Commander Karen Findlay is on restricted duties after it was alleged she dodged prosecutions for dashing and going by means of pink lights in her private time.

However the 56-year-old is suspected of falsely saying she was on obligation on the time.

The Solar reported that she is being investigated by the Impartial Workplace for Police Conduct over allegations of gross misconduct and perverting the course of justice.

She was in line to turn into assistant commissioner on the British Transport Police, however it’s reported this has since been placed on maintain.

She had the automotive when overseeing the policing of Queen Elizabeth’s funeral two years in the past, and the King’s Coronation final yr.

It was returned to The Met on the finish of 2023 – together with a £42,000 invoice, it’s alleged.

An IOPC spokesperson informed The Solar: ‘A senior Met Police officer is underneath gross misconduct and felony investigation for the potential offence of perverting the course of justice.’

It’s ‘a part of an investigation into allegations that the officer used police autos for private use in breach of drive coverage and didn’t observe the right course of following receipt of notices of meant prosecution for driving offences.’

It isn’t the primary time she’s hit the headlines lately.

On-line trolls had been blasted by the Met Police for ‘vile’ and ‘homophobic’ feedback on the promotion of the ‘distinctive’ officer.

Scottish police officer Cdr Findlay obtained a flood of offensive feedback after the British Transport Police (BTP) posted a photograph of her on social media to commemorate her appointment as Assistant Chief Constable.

The outrageous response prompted each BTP and the Met Police to deal with the backlash, slamming it as ‘vile, nasty and homophobic’.

BTP posted on X: ‘We’re delighted to announce our new ACC Karen Findlay LVO KPM. An enormous welcome to Karen, becoming a member of us from@metpoliceuk in 2024.’

However it prompted lots of of homophobic and sexist posts and messages about her look.

Cdr Findlay hit again on the misogynistic feedback, posting on X: ‘As feminine officers and employees colleagues, inside policing and in every other job, our skilled expertise, contribution & dedication ought to be the main target.

‘NOT the vile misogynistic, homophobic, sexist vileness skilled. It isn’t okay, and neither is being silent on it.’

The highest officer, who’s a rugby coach and former worldwide participant for Scotland, was appointed Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order within the 2024 New Yr Honours listing for her companies on the Coronation and the Queen’s funeral.

She has additionally been awarded the King’s Police Medal, and had an essential function within the police co-ordination staff that labored on safety for the through the 2012 Olympics. 

The Chief Constable Lucy D’Orsi of BTP stated in a press release on the time: ‘Yesterday, British Transport Police posted to announce Karen Findlay as our new Assistant Chief Constable.

‘I’ve been shocked to see how many individuals took our put up, which was celebrating the appointment of a senior girl in policing, as a possibility to reply with vile, nasty and homophobic messages.

‘Karen is an distinctive chief and public order commander with over 30 years of expertise – I’m dissatisfied her achievements aren’t the reason for the dialog.

‘Though I’m disgusted by the replies, I’ve determined to go away the put up as much as highlight the misogyny that ladies in policing proceed to face.

‘However ignoring it might not replicate my values, or the values of my drive.

‘In policing, we perceive the worth of public scrutiny; we welcome conversations about policing, actions and the way we are able to enhance However let me be clear, I cannot settle for bullying.’

Met Chief Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley additionally expressed his outrage on the vitriolic marketing campaign of abuse in opposition to the embellished officer, and admitted the extent of abuse police confronted on-line was turning into ‘more and more alarming’.

In a press release launched on-line, Sir Mark added: ‘I’m indignant. My colleagues are indignant. It is not acceptable and it is occurring too typically.

‘The depth of the racist, sexist, and homophobic abuse directed at cops on social media is more and more alarming. At a time when we have to appeal to officers from under-represented components of our communities that is massively damaging.’

Posting on X, the Met Police stated: ‘It is deeply regrettable that what ought to have been a second to rejoice for @KarenFindlayMPS has been soured by the vile sexist and homophobic replies to the announcement of her appointment.’

It added in a press release: ‘Law enforcement officials are more and more subjected to on-line abuse that merely would not be accepted offline The abuse directed at feminine officers and people from numerous backgrounds is commonly significantly private and hurtful.

‘As organisations just like the Met attempt to turn into anti-discriminatory, each in relation to our communities and our workforce, some components of social media are shifting within the different course.

‘All of us have to do higher, being respectful to one another and difficult all those that will not be.

‘Congratulations to Karen on her very properly deserved appointment. The Met’s loss is completely BTP’s achieve. We look ahead to persevering with to work intently together with her in her new function.’

Feedback responding to the forces’ defence of the Cdr had been equally surprising, telling the authorities to ‘develop a spine’ and labelling it ’embarrassing’ that they had been prepared to talk out in opposition to the web trolls.

One learn: ‘Embarrassing the police feeling sorry for themselves in tweets. Actual coppers would get on with it..

Different feedback known as it ‘field ticking’ and hit out on the drive being the ‘thought police’, undeterred by the statements addressing the trolling.

The backlash led to many supportive feedback of the officer, from these inside and out of policing.

TV character Rob Rinder posted: ‘We solely hear about policing failures by no means their successes.

‘They are not good and do not declare to be. Karen Findlay has devoted her life to conserving the general public – all of us – protected. She ought to be thanked by all of us. As a substitute this.’

Assistant Commissioner Pippa Mills of the Met Police posted: ‘A revered, operationally skilled and credible chief taking the following step in her policing profession.

‘The wave of congratulations from colleagues are testomony to Karen’s repute.

‘The disgusting sexist and homophobic feedback from just a few anon accounts do not dignify a response.’

In December of final yr, whereas she was serving within the Met Police, she was recognised within the New Yr Honours listing.

She known as the awards she obtained a ‘beautiful, sudden shock’.

Initially serving in Grampian Police within the northeast of Scotland, she transferred to the Met in 1993.

MailOnline has contacted the Met Police and BTP for remark.