The senior Metropolitan police officer tasked with creating the force's anti-drugs strategy is accused of using several illegal drugs, including LSD and magic mushrooms.
A tribunal has heard how Commander Julian Bennett, who is in his sixties, is accused of using the drugs while on holiday in France.
The controlled drugs were allegedly taken several times between February 2019 and July 2020.
Nicknamed “Sacker”, due to his willingness to sack many colleagues from the force during disciplinary hearings, he is also accused of failing to take a drug test, and then lying about it on July 21, 2020, which he denies.
In 2018 he wrote the force’s anti-drugs strategy called Dealing with the Impact of Drugs on Communities.
It set out the force’s plans to “raise awareness” about the dangers of drug use.
He was suspended in July 2020 on full pay.
A full misconduct hearing was due to begin in west London today, but is set to be adjourned for more emails, texts and WhatsApp messages to be examined.
He was due to face three allegations, according to the Met's website: using controlled drugs whilst off duty; refusal to provide a drugs test; and providing an explanation for his refusal that he knew to be untrue.
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Tribunal chairman James Tumbridge said: ‘’The officer is accused of taking cannabis, taking LSD and taking magic mushrooms while on holiday in France.’’
Mark-Ley Morgan QC, representing the Met, said the evidence had been served.
But John Beggs QC, representing Commander Bennett, claimed more needed to be examined before his client can be given a fair hearing.
Mr Beggs QC also said his client needed to use the drug for medical condition facial palsy.
A new hearing date is set to be confirmed.
Commander Bennett, who joined the force in 1977, ran Operation Venice where he was in charge of cracking down on moped crime, and he also led preparations for the London 2012 Olympics.
If found to have committed gross misconduct, he will be barred from serving in the force for the rest of his life and his pension could be cut.
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