Met Police officer sacked over spray tan business

A Metropolitan Police officer who ran a spray tanning business while claiming she could not attend work in person due to poor mental health has been sacked for gross misconduct.

PC Jennifer Stowers, who was based with the Central West Command Unit, ran the firm through an Instagram page between 18 May 2023 and 2 April 2025, a misconduct hearing was told.

She offered spray tanning services for “weddings, parties, hen dos, and private home visits”, and claimed she had won a 2024 GB Beauty Award for spray tan artist of the year.

During the same period, she performed her police duties from home, having claimed she could not attend work in person due to mental health issues.

The misconduct hearing in Sutton, south London, found PC Stowers breached standards of professional behaviour in respect of discreditable conduct, honesty and integrity, and duties and responsibilities, and that her actions amounted to gross misconduct.

Cdr Katie Lilburn, who chaired the hearing, said: “The officer has lied to her line manager and operational health about the extent of her mental health issues… for her own benefit.

“What she said to her line manager and occupational health is entirely inconsistent with her posts on Instagram, which prove that she was able to attend a variety of social functions.”

PC Stowers first informed her line manager that she could not return to work in person in 2023.

She was referred to occupational health and was granted flexibility to work from home while she sought treatment.

But in April this year, her line manager found an Instagram account called “Jennifer Stowers Tan” which advertised tanning services, with a post dated May 2023 stating she was “happy to travel” to clients’ homes, the hearing was told.

Another post offered prospective clients a “safe and sun-kissed tan from the comfort of their homes”, the hearing was told.

PC Stowers admitted during an interview in June 2025 that she “may have tanned clients when taking regular breaks” while she worked from home.

Asked about this admission, PC Stowers – who attended Friday’s hearing remotely – denied having performed spray tans on clients during work hours and said her Instagram posts were scheduled to enhance visibility.

“I always completed all my work, almost,” she added.

She accepted she ran a spray tanning business while on duty but denied dishonesty with regards to her ability to work.

“It was just a hobby I was interested in, trying to make myself feel better,” PC Stowers said.

Referring to her GB Beauty Award, she added: “The award that I got, I paid for. So I know it looks good, but it’s not legitimate.”

She also claimed she did not make a profit from her business.

Cdr Lilburn accepted PC Stowers had genuine mental health issues, but said she found her dishonest behaviour too serious to be addressed with a final warning.