Investigation into police contact and alleged assault – Metropolitan Police Service, July 2024

A Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) on patrol approached a vehicle which was stationary in a red route. A red route prohibits stopping, parking or loading in that area. 

A man was standing at the front of the vehicle holding the flag of a country. The PCSO approached the vehicle and tried to issue a Penalty Charge Notice. The man became angry and challenged the PCSO.

CCTV and body worn video showed the man tried to push the PCSO away. The PCSO requested emergency assistance. 

An officer who responded to the emergency assistance request arrived to detain the man. The situation escalated and the officer hit the man’s head twice. Several more officers arrived and tried to arrest the man for assaulting an emergency worker. 

The man was placed in a headlock, brought to the floor and put into handcuffs. 

A crowd had gathered and many people appeared to be upset about the way the man was being treated. The man was transported to custody in a police van. 

We decided to independently investigate the contact between the man and the police officers. We investigated whether there was evidence of a common assault, the use of force and language used by the officers, and whether the officers’ actions and decisions were in line with their duties, responsibilities, and national and local legislation, policy and guidance. 

We also examined whether the officers’ actions could have undermined public confidence in policing, and if the officers treated the man differently because of his protected characteristic. 

We examined CCTV and born worn video footage of the incident. We interviewed the officers present and received written statements. 

We concluded there was no indication that a person serving with the police behaved in a manner justifying the bringing of disciplinary proceedings. 

The Crown Prosecution Service decided not to charge the officer who hit the man with common assault. 

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. 

We did not identify any organisational learning in this case.