Use of Taser – Metropolitan Police Service, March 2019

In March 2019, two Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) officers stopped a car and both men were detained for a routine drugs search. Suspected Class A drugs and a false document were discovered in the car. An officer told the men they were going to be arrested. Both ran off and the officer chased one of them over a Thames bridge. The officer stopped a taxi transporting a passenger and gave the driver instructions to chase the man. The officer opened the door of the taxi during the chase and drew his Taser. The officer red-dotted the man with the Taser from the moving taxi. The man turned left into the river during the pursuit. The officer deployed his Taser six times and fired four discharges while the man was in the Thames. After a short while the officer was joined by other officers and the man was handcuffed and arrested.

During the investigation, we interviewed the officer and examined his first account of the events. We also examined his body worn video footage and obtained statements from several witnesses, including from his police colleagues and members of the public. The evidence indicated that the officer may have failed to care for the safety and welfare of members of the public and may have used force that was not proportionate and reasonable. There was also an indication that the officers’ accounts and recollection of the events did not fit with the evidence obtained.

We concluded the officer had a case to answer for gross misconduct and determined a misconduct hearing as the most appropriate proceeding. In our opinion the officer deviated significantly from policy and training in his use of the Taser and potentially placed members of the public at risk, particularly when using the taxi. In our opinion the evidence indicated that the officer deployed his Taser on several occasions when the man presented no immediate threat to him and the officer appeared to use the Taser to seek compliance. We also advised a panel to explore the discrepancies in the officer’s accounts and available evidence.

We completed our investigation in September 2019 but we waited for all proceedings to be finalised before publishing its outcome. The officer attended a misconduct hearing in October 2020. Misconduct was proven for the failings in the officer’s duties and responsibilities. Gross misconduct was proven for the officer’s use of force and for discreditable conduct. The officer was served a final written warning.

Throughout this investigation, we carefully considered whether there were any opportunities for learning or improvement. We did not issue any learning recommendations during this investigation.