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Met commander who ran policing operations at royal events being investigated over alleged misuse of a Jaguar

The Met has put her on restricted duties

A MET commander who ran policing operations at the Queen’s funeral and King’s coronation is under criminal investigation over the alleged misuse of a Jaguar car.

Commander Karen Findlay is alleged to have dodged prosecutions for speeding and going through red lights while using the motor in her own time.

Met Commander Karen Findlay (left) meets Charles on thank-you visit to police HQ
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Met Commander Karen Findlay (left) meets Charles on thank-you visit to police HQCredit: PA
Findlay is under criminal investigation over the alleged misuse of a Jaguar car
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Findlay is under criminal investigation over the alleged misuse of a Jaguar carCredit: Alamy

She is suspected of falsely claiming to be on official police business at the time of the alleged motoring offences.

The cop would have been responsible for approving exemption claims by officers from traffic enforcement notices.

Cdr Findlay, 56, is being investigated by the Independent Office for Police Conduct over allegations of gross misconduct and for the criminal offence of perverting the course of justice.

The Met has put her on restricted duties, while her move to become assistant commissioner at the British Transport Police has been put on hold.

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Cdr Findlay, who moved to the Met from Grampian Police in 1993, has also been captain and coach of ­Scotland’s women’s rugby team.

In London, she won plaudits for her work at the 2012 Olympics.

She had the Jaguar for overseeing policing of the Queen’s funeral in 2022, at King Charles’ coronation in May last year — and was pictured with the King during a thank-you visit to police HQ.

But the rented car was not returned until the end of last year, reportedly leaving the Met with a £42,000 bill.

An IOPC spokesperson confirmed “a senior Met Police officer is under gross misconduct and criminal investigation for the potential offence of perverting the course of justice…”

They added it was “part of an investigation into allegations that the officer used police vehicles for personal use in breach of force policy and failed to follow the proper process following receipt of notices of intended prosecution for driving offences.”

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