KEY POINTS
- Metropolitan Police officer dismissed for aiding child’s illegal entry.
- Evidence revealed coordination with family members and fraudulent documentation.
- Misconduct panel condemned officer’s reckless disregard for the child’s welfare.
A UK Metropolitan Police officer, PC Bright Shine-Sedziafa, has been dismissed after a misconduct hearing uncovered his role in an attempt to smuggle a Ghanaian child into the UK, despite knowing the child’s mother faced extradition on serious fraud charges.
The officer, who served in the West Area Command, was found guilty of gross misconduct in facilitating the child’s entry and falsifying border documents.
Coordinated plan unveiled
PC Shine-Sedziafa reportedly met the child’s mother, identified as Mrs. C, at a family gathering in 2022, shortly before his trip to Ghana for his father’s funeral.
During this visit, the arrangement to bring b the child to the UK was finalized, with Shine-Sedziafa signing necessary travel documents and organizing logistics.
The officer claimed he was merely doing a favor and denied any knowledge of Mrs. C’s legal issues or any financial compensation for his involvement.
Evidence presented at the hearing detailed a coordinated network involving PC Shine-Sedziafa, his cousin Confidence Haugen, Mrs. C’s partner Richard Quaye, and the child’s grandmother.
WhatsApp messages exposed their planning, including photos of expired passports and a draft consent form. Payment transactions, totaling £800 and 1,300 Ghanaian cedis, were traced back to Shine-Sedziafa to cover immigration-related expenses.
Attempt foiled at airport
The child’s journey to the UK began on December 20, 2022, when her grandmother and uncle escorted her to the airport, with assistance from an individual known as “Mr. Smith” for visa matters.
The group traveled via Amsterdam and reached the UK, where immigration officers raised concerns upon arrival. Both Shine-Sedziafa and his wife, who was present to receive the child, were questioned by UK authorities.
During an interview, immigration officials pointed to Mrs. C’s extradition status, highlighting her legal issues. Initially, Shine-Sedziafa admitted knowing about her electronic tag but later dodged questions, ultimately leading to his arrest on December 21.
According to Graphic Online, the officer provided only a prepared statement during questioning, denying any misconduct.
The panel uncovered inconsistencies in his statements, including a false claim in April 2023 that he was unaware of Mrs. C’s legal troubles.
Their investigation revealed that he knowingly facilitated the child’s entry under fraudulent documentation, with a consent form falsely bearing Mrs. C’s signature.
Panel’s verdict
The misconduct panel condemned PC Shine-Sedziafa’s actions as reckless, accusing him of endangering the child’s welfare by bringing her into an uncertain environment.
“The panel finds that PC Shine-Sedziafa’s decision to bring child B to the UK nonetheless was reckless and an act that put her at risk potentially,” the report stated.
His dismissal from the Metropolitan Police marks the conclusion of his career, marred by serious ethical and legal breaches.
