A Metropolitan Police officer who appeared as the public face of the force’s recruitment drive has been charged with stalking and harassment, it has emerged, after allegedly tracking a woman’s movements and repeatedly contacting her against her wishes.
PC Samson Akinnawo, 35, who serves in the Met’s Specialist Operations unit, appeared at Thames Magistrates’ Court facing allegations relating to his conduct towards a woman named as Melieka Daley. The charges cover a period between June and August of last year and follow his arrest in July 2025, Scotland Yard confirmed.
Prosecutors told the court that Akinnawo allegedly made repeated telephone calls and sent numerous messages to Ms Daley during that period. He is also accused of attending her home address and informing her that he had tracked her movements from her place of work. Following his arrest, he is further alleged to have made contact with a friend of the complainant. The prosecution submitted that the behaviour caused Ms Daley significant emotional distress and affected her ability to carry out everyday activities.
The charges carry particular weight given the officer’s public profile within the force. Akinnawo had featured prominently in the Met’s Change Needs You recruitment campaign in July 2024, appearing in promotional materials and speaking publicly about his ambition to join the police service from childhood. The campaign was intended to attract new recruits to the force.
Before joining the Metropolitan Police, Akinnawo had worked as both a prison officer and a bus driver. He currently resides on Walton Road in Newham and remains suspended from duty while proceedings continue.
At the hearing, Akinnawo pleaded guilty to a separate charge of refusing to provide police with the passcode to his mobile phone on 26 November last year. District Judge Lisa Towell granted him conditional bail.
He is next due to appear at Snaresbrook Crown Court on 10 April, where he will be required to enter formal pleas to the stalking and harassment charges. The outcome of those proceedings will determine the next stage in the case.
