Hertfordshire Constabulary officer found not guilty of assault

A Hertfordshire Constabulary officer has been found not guilty of assaulting a man during an arrest in Watford, following an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

PC Stephen Dalton was today (5 November) acquitted by a jury following a trial at St Albans Crown Court which started on Monday.

Our investigation began in October 2019 after we received a death or serious injury referral from the force on 5 October; and on 7 October the man made a complaint to the force who then referred it to the IOPC.

After a thorough examination of the evidence, including CCTV, officer’s body worn video and police witness statements, we passed a file to the Crown Prosecution Service, which authorised a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm under Section 47 of the Offences Against the Person Act.

Our investigation also concluded that PC Dalton has a case to answer for gross misconduct for a breach of the standards of professional behaviour in relation to use of force.

Hertfordshire Constabulary agreed and it will now be for the force to take forward disciplinary proceedings.