A south London police officer has been dismissed without notice after making racist and offensive comments to a female police officer.

PC Dylan Cusano, attached to the Central South Command Unit, was found to have breached the standards of professional behaviour with regard to conduct, authority, respect, courtesy, equality and diversity.

In July 2023, PC Cusano - who was off duty at the time - called police claiming he had been assaulted in Hastings, the hearing heard.

Officers from Sussex Police arrived at the scene and tried to speak to PC Cusano.

However, he was abusive towards them and directed a racial slur at one female officer in reference to the traveller community, before leaving the scene.

The incident was reported to the Metropolitan Police leading to a misconduct proceedings.

After hearing all of the evidence, the hearing concluded on Thursday, October 12 and PC Cusano was dismissed without notice.

PC Cusano will now be placed on the College of Policing barred list meaning he cannot serve as a police officer or in a number of other related roles in the future.

Superintendent Rachel Walmsley from the Central South Command Unit said: “The actions of PC Cusano fall far below what is expected of a serving police officer and it is right that he has been dismissed.

"Behaviour like PC Cusano’s undermines the positive work the vast majority of our officers and staff undertake on a daily basis throughout London.

"It is imperative that we remain resolute and ruthless in our determination to rid the Met of those whose actions in no way align to our standards.”

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said: “A police officer has been dismissed without notice after he made racist and offensive comments to a female police officer in Sussex.

“PC Dylan Cusano, attached to the Central South Command Unit, was found to have breached the standards of professional behaviour in relation to discreditable conduct, authority, respect and courtesy and equality and diversity.

“The hearing heard how in July 2023, PC Cusano – who was off duty at the time – called police claiming he had been assaulted in Hastings.

“Officers from Sussex Police arrived at the scene and attempted to speak with PC Cusano.

“However, PC Cusano was abusive to them and directed a racial slur towards one female officer, making reference to the Traveller community, before leaving the scene.

“The matter was reported to the Metropolitan Police who initiated misconduct proceedings against PC Cusano.

“After hearing all of the evidence available, the hearing concluded on Thursday, 12 October and PC Cusano was dismissed without notice.

“PC Cusano will now be placed on the College of Policing barred list meaning he cannot serve as a police officer or in a number of other related roles in the future.”