PC Stanley Kennett, a 31-year-old Metropolitan Police officer, has been dismissed from the force after it was revealed he ran an unauthorized coffee business while suspended on full pay—a breach of police rules that a tribunal ruled amounted to gross misconduct. The saga, which unfolded over nearly two years, has drawn attention to the standards expected of those in public service and the consequences when those standards are not met.
Kennett's journey from police constable to coffee entrepreneur began in October 2023, when he was suspended from duty. While under suspension, he applied on April 23, 2024, for permission to operate The Coffee Cycle, a coffee shop based in a bike shop in Storrington, West Sussex. According to multiple reports, including those from BBC and The Standard, his application was formally declined by the Metropolitan Police just a week later.
Despite the clear denial, Kennett pressed ahead with his plans. By September 2025, a compliance check revealed that he continued to "engage in and operate this unauthorised business interest" while still on the police payroll. The Coffee Cycle, according to its website and social media, serves coffee, cakes, and pastries, and offers catering for events. Companies House records show Kennett was listed as the director of The Coffee Cycle Catering Company Ltd as of April 1, 2025, further cementing his deep involvement in the business.
Commander Andy Brittain, who chaired the misconduct panel, did not mince words in his assessment of Kennett's actions. "This was not simply a volunteering opportunity, this was a full-blown and expanding business supported by incorporation of that business, the granting of a director’s loan and employment of staff," Brittain stated in the tribunal ruling, as reported by BBC and The Mirror. He emphasized that Kennett was "actively engaged on social media promoting that business" and concluded, "This was a sophisticated operation, and PC Kennett appears heavily involved at all points."
The public's trust in the police was a central concern for the panel. Brittain added, "Running a business, whether for financial gain or not, whilst suspended on full pay brings policing and the MPS (Metropolitan Police Service) in particular into disrepute. Members of the public would not expect serving police officers to act in this way." The ruling made clear that Kennett's actions risked damaging the reputation of the force and undermining public confidence in the integrity of its officers.
At the misconduct hearing held on February 12, 2026, Kennett, represented by his Federation Representative PS Nicci Searle, admitted to running the business but argued that his actions amounted only to misconduct, not gross misconduct. The panel, however, disagreed. After reviewing the evidence—including Kennett’s directorship, the incorporation of the company, the director’s loan, and staff employment—they found that the allegations were proven on the balance of probabilities, and that his breach was indeed gross misconduct.
As a result, Kennett was dismissed from the Metropolitan Police without notice and placed on the College of Policing’s barred list, preventing him from serving as a police officer elsewhere in the UK. The decision was swift and unequivocal, reflecting the seriousness with which the force regards breaches of trust and professional standards.
The Coffee Cycle itself, according to its own online description, sought to be more than just a business. "We believe that coffee and tea are not just drinks, but experiences," the website reads. "That’s why we strive to create a warm and inviting space where our customers can relax and enjoy the subtle nuances of each cup. We believe that great coffee and tea should be savoured, not rushed." Yet, for Kennett, the pursuit of this vision came at the cost of his policing career.
Public reaction to the case has been mixed. Some have expressed sympathy for Kennett, noting the challenges officers face during suspension—often lengthy periods of uncertainty with no clear path to resolution. Others, however, have sided with the police leadership, arguing that the rules are clear for a reason. The expectation is that officers, even while suspended, must not engage in outside business interests without explicit approval, as it presents a conflict of interest and can erode trust in law enforcement.
This is not the first time the Metropolitan Police has faced scrutiny over the conduct of its officers during suspension. The force has, in recent years, sought to tighten its policies and improve transparency in disciplinary proceedings. The Kennett case, widely reported across outlets such as BBC, The Mirror, and The Standard, serves as a cautionary tale for officers who might consider sidestepping established protocols.
Kennett’s case also highlights the increasing complexity of managing outside business interests in the digital age. Social media promotion, company incorporation, and the ability to operate businesses remotely make it easier than ever for individuals to blur the lines between personal enterprise and professional obligations. For police officers, whose actions are subject to intense public scrutiny, the risks are particularly acute.
Commander Brittain’s remarks capture the essence of the issue: "PC Kennett was responsible for his own actions. He flatly contravened an order and instruction in full knowledge that it might be deemed to bring the MPS into disrepute." The ruling also noted that Kennett’s active engagement on social media and the sophistication of the operation undermined any argument that he did not fully grasp the consequences of his actions.
As for The Coffee Cycle, its future remains uncertain. While the business itself may continue under new management, its origins will be forever linked to a high-profile case of police misconduct. For Kennett, the outcome is decisive: the end of his policing career and a place on the barred list, a stark reminder of the consequences of violating the standards expected of public servants.
In a profession built on public trust and accountability, the Kennett case stands as a vivid example of what can happen when those standards are breached. The Metropolitan Police’s response signals a commitment to upholding integrity, even when the circumstances are as unconventional as a coffee shop in a Sussex bike store.