A former Metropolitan Police firearms inspector dismissed from the force in December will appear in court this week facing 17 charges including rape, grievous bodily harm and misconduct in public office spanning a 12-year period.
John Doyle, 53, who previously worked in the Met’s Specialist Firearms Command, was charged by postal requisition on Wednesday 4 February with offences allegedly committed between 2012 and 2024 against one victim.
Westminster Magistrates’ Court will hear the case on Wednesday 11 February, where Doyle will face charges including five counts of rape, one count of assault by penetration, and four counts of grievous bodily harm with intent. He is also charged with two counts each of coercive and controlling behaviour, actual bodily harm, and misconduct in public office, plus one count of possession of extreme pornography.
The former officer was initially arrested on Monday 24 June 2024 and immediately suspended from duty following his detention. Six months later on Tuesday 10 December 2024, the Metropolitan Police dismissed Doyle from the force at a hearing held in private due to the ongoing criminal proceedings.
The postal requisition charging method means Doyle received formal notification of the charges by post rather than being charged at a police station. This procedure is commonly used when defendants are not in custody and allows them to appear at magistrates’ court without being arrested again.
The 12-year timeframe of the alleged offences means they span more than a decade of Doyle’s police service. His position within Specialist Firearms Command placed him in one of the Met’s most high-profile units, responsible for armed policing operations across London.
All 17 charges relate to a single victim according to the Metropolitan Police statement. The force has not released additional details about the circumstances of the alleged offences or the identity of the complainant.
The misconduct in public office charges relate specifically to Doyle’s conduct whilst serving as a police officer. This offence requires proof that a public official wilfully neglected their duty or wilfully misconducted themselves to such a degree as to amount to an abuse of the public’s trust.
Doyle’s dismissal from the Metropolitan Police in December preceded the formal charging decision by approximately two months. The private nature of the disciplinary hearing reflected the ongoing criminal investigation, preventing potential prejudice to future legal proceedings.
Wednesday’s magistrates’ court appearance will likely result in the case being sent to crown court given the serious nature of the charges, particularly the rape and grievous bodily harm with intent allegations which carry potential life sentences.
The defendant will be asked to confirm his identity and address before magistrates determine whether to grant bail or remand him in custody pending crown court proceedings. Given the severity and number of charges, prosecutors may oppose bail.
If the case proceeds to trial at crown court, Doyle will face a jury trial on all 17 counts. The prosecution will need to prove each charge beyond reasonable doubt, with the court hearing evidence relating to the alleged 12-year pattern of offending.
