A former probation officer with the Met Police in Croydon has been sentenced after pleading guilty to assaulting a fellow member of the force while off duty. 

Former PC Melissa Sanchez Marulanda, 29, was found to have breached the standards of professional behaviour in respect of ‘discreditable conduct’ and dismissed from the Met Police at the conclusion of a misconduct hearing yesterday (Tuesday, May 18). 

The hearing was brought in the wake of an incident that occurred when police received a "silent" emergency call to an address in Croydon on July 8 last year. 

They attended and were met by Marulanda, who was off duty at the time, and two others. 

A spokesperson for the Met Police described what happened next: 

"An officer explained that they needed to enter the address to ensure the welfare of those who were there but former PC Sanchez Marulanda refused.

"The officers attempted to enter but were pushed and former PC Sanchez Marulanda struck one of them in the face on two occasions.

"She was arrested and immediately suspended from duty. On 9 July she was charged with assault on an emergency worker." 

Marulanda attended Croydon Crown Court on Wednesday (May 12) and was sentenced to one-year imprisonment, suspended for one year, ordered to wear an electronic tag for three months and was issued with a fine.

She previously pleaded guilty to an earlier hearing to assaulting an emergency services worker.

"Although PC Melissa Sanchez Marulanda was only weeks into her career as a Metropolitan Police officer, her behaviour displayed none of the qualities we expect in our officers," Chief Inspector Matt Cox from the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards said.

"A lack of self-control; ill-discipline and a disregard for the law. She pleaded guilty to assaulting a colleague, and has now had to face the consequences of her actions; and an end to her policing career," he added.