PC Darren Hourigan was serving in the South Area Command Unit, which covers Bromley, Croydon and Sutton, when he was caught with the images.
The 51-year-old pleaded guilty to three counts of indecent images of children relating to 666 category C images, 866 category B images and 2,253 category A photos – the category which includes the most serious and abusive images.
He is currently awaiting sentencing, but a police misconduct hearing took place after he pleaded guilty.
It was heard that Hourigan was arrested in March 2020 following a complex investigation initiated by the National Crime Agency, using resources in both Australasia and the United Kingdom.
He was suspended from duties before he was charged on September 21 last year.
It was also heard that he consistently denied any wrongdoing, initially pleading not guilty at court until changing his plea at a later date.
Assistant Commissioner Barbara Gray said: “In behaving as he did, former PC Hourigan’s actions have contributed to a child sexual abuse industry that injures children, ruins lives and causes significant suffering to many.”
It was decided that had Hourigan not already left the force, he would have been dismissed without notice.
He will be added to the College of Policing’s Barred List.
Chief Superintendent Andy Brittain, who is in charge of policing in South Area, said: “We have made it clear that the Met will take action against any of its staff who are not fit to remain within the organisation.
“We are committed to providing Londoners with a Met that they deserve; one that upholds the law on the streets of the capital and amongst its own ranks. The vast majority of the thousands of police officers and staff are striving to take this forward – those who won’t are not worthy to remain.”
