Contact with a man during response to public disorder – Bedfordshire Police, December 2021

On 18 December 2021, a special constable and a special inspector responded to a public disorder in Bedford town centre, where two men were forced to leave from an establishment. The special constabulary consists of volunteer, uniformed officers who have all the powers of a regular police officer.

The officers asked the men to go home, and they then left the area. The officers later encountered the two men again and attempted to arrest one of the men for being drunk and disorderly.

A struggle ensued resulting in the special officers using force, involving the use of baton strikes and incapacitant spray. One of the men was then arrested for drunk and disorderly behaviour and assault on an emergency worker.

Whilst on their way to custody, the man became unresponsive, and he was transported to hospital where he remained in police custody.

Later that morning, he was medically discharged and transported to custody, where he was charged with drunk and disorderly behaviour.

We specifically investigated the contact police had with the man and whether the use of force was necessary, proportionate and reasonable. We also investigated whether the level of aftercare provided to the man after incapacitant spray was adequate and if officers appropriately monitored his welfare.

We reviewed police actions and decisions against the relevant policing policies, procedures, and legislation.

During our investigation, we analysed CCTV and body worn video footage. We obtained training and complaint records relating to officers, and we gathered statements from key police witnesses.

We interviewed the special constable and the special inspector under misconduct caution.

Our investigation concluded in July 2022. We waited for all external proceedings to be finalised before publishing our findings.

We concluded the special inspector had a case to answer for gross misconduct.

On the 23rd March 2023, a misconduct hearing was held where gross misconduct was proven against the special inspector. He would have been dismissed if had still been serving.

The special inspector was placed on the College of Policing barred list, meaning he cannot seek future employment from a police service.

We carefully considered whether there were any learning opportunities arising from the investigation. We make learning recommendations to improve policing and public confidence in the police complaints system and prevent a recurrence of similar incidents.

In this case, the investigation has not identified any learning.