Use of force - Metropolitan Police Service, February 2017

On 9 February 2017, five Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) officers attended a high street in Carshalton, south London, following reports of a group fighting. While in the area, police found a man urinating in a shop doorway. Police arrested him for being drunk and disorderly and placed him in handcuffs. The man spat in the face of one of the officers. The officer punched the man four times in the head and face. The man was taken to the floor, where the officer punched the man a further four times in the head and shoulder area.

During the investigation, we interviewed the police officer and the man, along with other members of the public. Investigators viewed CCTV of the incident and obtained statements from the other officers present.

Our investigation concluded there was evidence of a case to answer for gross misconduct for the officer for his use of force.

After reviewing our report, the MPS agreed with our findings and held gross misconduct proceedings for the officer. The misconduct panel found that the officer had breached the standards of professional behaviour at the level of gross misconduct. The officer was issued with a final written warning.