Investigation into police use of force – Metropolitan Police Service, June 2022

Two officers were on patrol in a marked Territorial Squad Group (TSG) carrier in North London. They noticed a car with three men inside acting suspiciously while at a petrol station. 

The officers followed the car out of the petrol station and carried out a check on the Police National Computer. This found that the car was registered in the Midlands. 

Officers suspected suspicious activity and decided to stop the car. They indicated for the car to stop using blue lights and sirens. The driver of the car initially pulled into a bus stop.  

The officers got out of their vehicle. As they did so, the car drove away. The car stopped at a red traffic light after being boxed in. Body worn video (BWV) shows officers got out of the TSG carrier and approached the car with the men inside. They used their batons to break the car windows. One of the officers is seen on BWV striking the driver repeatedly through the window of his car. The man appears to shield himself with his arms and hands. 

The other officer can be seen on BWV striking the man a number of times. The man is eventually taken out of the car and brought to the ground. Blood can be seen and appears to have been caused by a head injury. The man was taken to hospital where he was treated. He did not make a statement. 

We received a death or serious injury referral from the force. We decided to carry out an independent investigation into the conduct of the two officers and the force they used. 

We investigated the officers’ contact with the man. This included their reasons for stopping him, whether the officers’ use of force was necessary, proportionate and reasonable, whether the man was treated with respect and courtesy, the first aid given after he was injured, and whether he was treated less favourably based on his race. 

We analysed footage from the police vehicle, BWV footage and obtained accounts from the police officers involved. Their actions were analysed against relevant training and local and national policies and procedures. 

We decided to refer the case to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) on the grounds of assault and recommended a gross misconduct hearing. No criminal charges were made on CPS advice.

A gross misconduct hearing concluded in November 2024. The panel found the case not proven.

One of the officers did engage in the reflective practice review process for authority respect and courtesy.

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.