A Metropolitan Police constable has been dismissed from the force after being found guilty of assaulting his neighbour during a dispute over a parked vehicle.
Daniel Traynor, 38, was sacked for gross misconduct at a hearing in south London on Monday following his conviction for assault by beating.
The incident occurred on 29 November 2024 when Traynor returned to his east London home to discover a car obstructing access to his property, sparking a confrontation with neighbour Joshua Smith.
Commander Andy Brittain, who presided over the disciplinary proceedings, ruled that the officer’s behaviour was “wholly unbecoming of a police officer” and determined it would damage public trust and confidence in the police service.
The hearing was told that Traynor had attempted to locate the owner of the offending vehicle before the altercation took place.
When Mr Smith emerged from his home, the two men began talking, but their exchange quickly deteriorated into a heated verbal row.
Mr Smith subsequently went to Traynor’s address hoping to speak with the officer’s partner, but received no response.
Traynor and his partner then visited Mr Smith’s residence, where a fresh argument erupted when the neighbour opened the door.
The officer became embroiled in a tense row with his neighbour
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GETTYThe officer proceeded to shove Mr Smith with both hands, sending him stumbling backwards, according to Jennie Oborne, who represented the Metropolitan Police at the hearing.
Ring doorbell footage captured what happened next: Mr Smith struck Traynor with a punch before the pair wrestled each other to the ground, prompting a call to police.
Commander Brittain concluded that Traynor’s conduct was “deliberate and targeted” during the confrontation with his neighbour.
The senior officer noted that Traynor had multiple opportunities to de-escalate the situation, stating: “He could have walked away at any stage or sought help at dealing with the dispute.”
Instead, Traynor “chose to stay” even as tensions continued to rise between the two men.
Brittain found the constable “fully culpable” for what transpired, observing that there had been “no evidence of insight or acceptance of responsibility by Pc Traynor”.
Ms Oborne told the panel that maintaining composure under provocation was essential for officers, arguing that “the ability for a police officer to keep their temper even when provoked is, in my submission, of paramount importance in maintaining public confidence in policing”.
Traynor was convicted of assault by beating at Westminster magistrates’ court on 12 November last year, with the charge relating specifically to his initial push against Mr Smith.
The court sentenced him to 80 hours of unpaid work alongside 15 rehabilitation activity days, while also ordering him to pay £500 in costs and £114 in compensation to his victim.
The officer was absent from Monday’s misconduct hearing, having requested an adjournment on medical grounds, but Commander Brittain rejected this application and proceeded without him.
Traynor continues to deny wrongdoing, maintaining that he “acted in a reasonable self defence and in defence of another”, according to Brittain.
The dismissed officer has lodged an appeal against his criminal conviction.