Use of force in custody - West Midlands Police, November 2018

A man being held at Oldbury Custody Facility complained that he was the subject of excessive use of force on 11 November 2018.

West Midlands Police referred the complaint to us and we began an independent investigation.

The man alleged that his ankle was stood on by an officer, while another officer used his feet to hold and push him across the floor of the cell he was being detained in at the time.

Our investigation examined the CCTV, custody log and statements of the man and various officers involved in the incident.

Our investigation was completed in May 2019 and we provided evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) who decided to charge two custody officers with assault by beating.

Both officers were found not guilty of assault by beating following a trial at Birmingham Magistrates Court in September 2019.

We determined that both officers had a case to answer for gross misconduct and the West Midlands Police agreed with our conclusion. Following the trial and the retirement of one of the custody officers, West Midlands Police requested a review and we agreed to take no further action.