A Metropolitan Police sergeant has become the first person to face criminal charges stemming from an undercover investigation into alleged misconduct at Charing Cross police station in London.
Sgt Sadiq Al-Hasani, 37, was charged with perverting the course of justice. He is attached to Central West Command Unit and is scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.
According to the Metropolitan Police, the charge relates to an allegation that Sgt Al-Hasani "deliberately sought to discourage another officer from making a statement to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC)". The watchdog had launched its investigation following the broadcast of an undercover documentary in October 2025.
The undercover operation at Charing Cross has already resulted in significant disciplinary action against other officers. A thirteenth Metropolitan Police officer, PC Mason O'Connor, was dismissed in September 2026 for breaching professional standards, marking one of the largest investigations of its kind into the force.
The IOPC investigation was triggered by the broadcast of a documentary examining alleged misconduct within the station. The criminal charge against Sgt Al-Hasani represents an escalation in the consequences of the undercover probe, moving beyond the disciplinary dismissals and misconduct hearings that have affected other officers connected to the investigation.
The case highlights ongoing scrutiny of the Metropolitan Police following multiple high-profile misconduct investigations in recent months. The force has faced separate investigations into officer conduct ranging from social media conduct to handling of serious incidents.
