Complaint of use of excessive force during arrest - North Yorkshire Police, May 2018

In April 2018, a North Yorkshire Police (NYP) Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) physically detained a man he suspected of criminal damage offences. Police officers arrived soon after and arrested the man. During his detention the man said to the officers that he believed his leg was broken. Police took the man to a custody suite, where he was subsequently assessed by a healthcare professional (HCP). The HCP decided the man needed to go to hospital for further examination. In hospital, he was diagnosed with a serious leg injury, which required surgery and a stay in hospital. In May 2018, the man complained to us about the force used on him during his arrest.

We obtained statements from the injured man, the PCSO, and police officers involved in his detention and arrest. We also obtained CCTV footage of his detention and restraint, as well as police radio transmissions during the incident. Our investigators also examined relevant policies and procedures covering PCSO powers and use of force.

Throughout the investigation, we did not consider there to be an indication that any police officer or member of police staff may have behaved in a manner that would justify the bringing of disciplinary proceedings, or committed a criminal offence. All officers and police staff co-operated fully with the investigation.

At the end of the investigation, based on the evidence available, we did not uphold the man’s complaint that the force used during his arrest had been excessive.

After reviewing our investigation report, NYP agreed with our findings.