Police Officer Convicted After Wandsworth Road Rage Incident
Acted so aggressively to lone woman driver she thought his warrant card was bogus
The officer was off-duty at the time of the incident
December 8, 2022
A serving police officer has been convicted of a public order offence after a road rage incident that took place in the SW18 area.
Trainee Detective Constable Ajitpal Lotay, who is attached to the South East Command Unit, was so aggressive with a lone female driver that he became involved in an altercation with, she refused to believe he was a real police officer when he produced a warrant card. He was off-duty at the time.
She took a picture of Lotay and his vehicle and contacted the police after he demanded she move her car in February of this year.
T/DC Lotay was stopped in June 2022 driving the same vehicle. He was interviewed under caution and was later charged.
He then appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, 30 November charged with an offence under Section 4A of the Public Order Act.
Chief Superintendent Trevor Lawry, from the South East Command Unit, said: "T/DC Lotay's behaviour was utterly wrong. He identified himself as an officer and was rude and aggressive to the female driver, who was so concerned about his behaviour that she reported it thinking he may be bogus.
“The Met is driven by the values of professionalism, integrity, courage and compassion. We only want the best and will always act when our employees fall below the exemplary standards we and the public expect.”
The Met's Directorate of Professional Standards is aware of the conviction and the officer has been placed on restricted duties
Now that the criminal proceedings have concluded the officer will be subject to a misconduct hearing.
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