Police Officer Who Was Face Of Recruitment Campaign For Met Charged With Stalking And Harassing Woman

A Metropolitan Police officer who was a prominent face of the force’s “Change Needs You” recruitment campaign in July 2024 has been charged with stalking and harassing a woman.

PC Samson Akinnawo, 35, took part in adverts for the recruitment drive, during which he said he had wanted to be a police officer since he was a child.

On Friday, Akinnawo appeared at Thames Magistrates’ Court charged with stalking and harassing Melieka Daley by repeatedly calling and messaging her, turning up at her home, telling her he had followed her from work and contacting her friend following his arrest.

As per LBC, the stalking caused Ms Daley serious harm and distress and impacted her day-to-day activities.

In court, Akinnawo admitted to a charge of failing to disclose the passcode to his phone following his arrest.

He was part of the Met’s Specialist Operations unit but is now suspended from duty and has been released on conditional bail, pending a hearing next month where he will enter his plea on the stalking and harassment charge.

So yeah, another bad look for the Met in what has been a string over bad looks over the years. The poster boy for the force’s recruitment drive ends up being a stalker (allegedly) who can’t take “no” for an answer? Absolute nightmare PR there.

Then again at this point you could say the advert accurately reflects the workforce in the Met, so it’s not like you can accuse them of being misleading or anything. I know there are bad apples in every profession, but the amount of dodgy stories involving Met police officers over the years really is a cause for concern.

What are they going to do about it?

For the Met police officer who said “immigrants should be shot” during pints at the pub, click HERE. Yikes.