Met police officer dismissed for taking drugs says he made 'one mistake'

Dismissed: Russell Bridges
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Hannah Al-Othman14 December 2015

A Metropolitan Police officer dismissed for taking drugs said he made "one mistake" and had hoped he would be given a second chance by the force.

Russell Bridges, who worked as a Pc in Westminster, was today formally dismissed from the Met, following a special case hearing that found him guilty of gross misconduct.

Pc Bridges was arrested and cautioned on July 13 this year for possession of cocaine - a Class A drug.

The next day he was subjected to a drugs test, and provided a urine sample that tested positive for both cocaine and amphetamines, police said.

Arrest: Russell Bridges
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Speaking to the Standard, Pc Bridges said he had hoped that more than a decade of "very good service" in the Met would mean that he could keep his job.

He said: "I cooperated throughout and hoped I'd be looked on favourably today, but that hasn't happened.

"I made a bad decision and that's it. One mistake is one mistake.

"It's almost like you don't get a second chance - I haven't been given that.

'One mistake': Russell Bridges
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"I had 11 years of very good service and made one mistake, but I know you live and die by your mistakes."

At today's hearing it was found that his "disreputable conduct" amounted to a breach of the standards of professional behaviour.

The 35-year-old's social media accounts show he enjoyed an active social life outside of the job, attending festivals and drum and bass events, and taking holidays abroad.

Pc Bridges said he accepted the decision made by the force, and wished to move on from it.

He said: "I have been dismissed by the Met over it today, and I want to maintain my integrity."

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