A police officer believed an amputee who threatened to stab care home staff had "ample opportunity" to drop his knife before he was Tasered, a court has heard. PC Stephen Smith told Southwark Crown Court that he did not see that Donald Burgess, 92, was disabled and in a wheelchair before he used Pava spray, and then a baton before making an arrest. The police officer, aged 51, and PC Rachel Comotto are accused of using excessive force on Mr Burgess, who had one leg, at Park Beck care home in St Leonards-on-Sea in June 2022. PC Smith denies two charges of assault and PC Comotto, 36, denies one charge of assault by discharging her Taser at Mr Burgess. Mr Burgess was taken to hospital after his arrest and later contracted Covid-19. He died 22 days later aged 93, and the PCs are not accused of being responsible for his death. Jurors were previously told the care home had called 999 after Mr Burgess reportedly grabbed a cutlery knife andsaid he wanted to murder the site managerwith a cutlery knife. PC Smith told jurors: "The way he had been threatening staff members - the threat was the knife, to the staff there, and also to himself." The court heard both PC Smith and PC Comotto repeatedly asked Mr Burgess to drop the knife and PC Smith warned him he would be sprayed or Tasered if he did not. PC Smith told the court he believed Mr Burgess "could clearly understand what we were saying to him". In the Sussex Police "use of force form", which PC Smith filled out shortly after the incident, he wrote Mr Burgess was "given ample opportunity" to drop the knife. Jurorsheard on Mondaythat PC Smith allegedly emptied a canister of Pava incapacitant spray into Mr Burgess's face and struck him with a baton before PC Comotto deployed her Taser. On Thursday, Smith denied this and said he used a "short burst" of Pava on Mr Burgess. "I just wanted the knife out of the gent's hand", PC Smith said, adding that he tried to "knock the knife out of Mr Burgess's hand" by using the baton. Ian Mills, a police use-of-force adviser, later testified for the defence that PC Smith's actions "though difficult to watch, was generally in accordance with his training". Mr Mills agreed PC Smith used his baton with "minimal force" and said police officers make "split-second decisions based on their perception of the circumstances" and "without the benefit of hindsight". The two officers made a "tactical error" in failing to "fully explore avenues of information before entering the room" such as by talking to the care home staff about Mr Burgess, Mr Mills added. Prosecutors say the force used against Mr Burgess was excessive and unnecessary given his age and physical condition. The trial continues. Follow BBC Sussex onFacebook, onX, and onInstagram. Send your story ideas tosoutheasttoday@bbc.co.ukor WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.
Amputee's knife was a threat, accused PC says
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Police Officer Defends Use of Force Against Amputee During Arrest"
Bbc News
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TruthLens AI Summary
In a court case at Southwark Crown Court, police officer PC Stephen Smith defended his actions during the arrest of Donald Burgess, a 92-year-old amputee, who allegedly threatened care home staff with a knife. Smith stated that he did not recognize Burgess's disability while responding to a 999 call made by the care home, where Burgess reportedly expressed intentions to harm the site manager. During the incident, Smith utilized Pava incapacitant spray and a baton to subdue Burgess after warning him to drop the knife. The prosecution argues that the force used was excessive, especially considering Burgess's age and physical condition, which included being in a wheelchair with only one leg. Smith, along with his colleague PC Rachel Comotto, faces charges for the alleged excessive use of force, although they are not held responsible for Burgess's subsequent death 22 days post-arrest due to Covid-19.
The court proceedings revealed that both officers repeatedly instructed Burgess to relinquish the knife and that Smith believed Burgess was capable of understanding their commands. Smith documented in a use-of-force report that Burgess had 'ample opportunity' to drop the knife before force was applied. However, defense testimony indicated that Smith's actions, while difficult to witness, were in line with police training. A police use-of-force adviser acknowledged that officers often have to make quick decisions in unpredictable situations. The trial continues, with jurors tasked with determining whether the force used against Burgess was justified or excessive given the circumstances surrounding the incident.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The news article presents a troubling incident involving a police officer's use of force against a 92-year-old amputee, which raises numerous ethical and legal questions. This case highlights issues surrounding police conduct, the treatment of vulnerable individuals, and the implications of using force in situations involving people with disabilities.
Public Perception and Trust in Law Enforcement
The article aims to influence public perception regarding the actions of the police officers involved. By detailing the events leading to Mr. Burgess's arrest, the piece seeks to provoke a response from the community about the appropriateness of using force against an elderly and disabled individual. The portrayal of the officers' actions might lead to a broader discussion about police accountability and the need for better training in handling similar situations.
Omissions and Hidden Narratives
While the article focuses on the incident, it may obscure broader systemic issues within law enforcement, such as the need for reforms regarding the treatment of individuals with disabilities. The emphasis on the officers' perspective may detract from a more comprehensive understanding of how police protocols could be improved to prevent such incidents.
Manipulative Elements
The language used in the article could be seen as manipulative, especially in how it frames the actions of Mr. Burgess and the police. Describing the officers' belief that he had "ample opportunity" to drop the knife may subtly suggest that they acted reasonably despite the circumstances. This framing could lead readers to sympathize with the officers rather than consider the vulnerabilities of the individual involved.
Trustworthiness of the Article
The article presents a factual account of the events, citing court testimonies and statements from the involved officers. However, the reliance on a single perspective may lead to an incomplete narrative. The absence of input from independent witnesses or experts on police conduct and disability rights raises questions about the article's overall reliability.
Potential Consequences
This incident could have significant societal implications, including influencing public opinion on police practices and disability rights. If the case draws sufficient media attention, it may prompt calls for policy changes within law enforcement agencies, leading to increased scrutiny and potential reforms.
Target Audience
The article likely appeals to communities concerned with social justice, disability rights, and police reform. It may resonate particularly with individuals advocating for the rights of vulnerable populations, as well as those questioning police practices.
Economic and Political Impact
While the article's immediate focus is on a specific incident, it could contribute to a larger discourse that influences public policy and funding for police training programs. Addressing these issues may have ripple effects on local governance and community relations with law enforcement.
Global Context
Although the incident is localized, it reflects broader trends in policing and societal responses to disability and mental health issues globally. The challenges faced by Mr. Burgess are not unique and resonate with ongoing discussions about how various nations handle similar cases.
Artificial Intelligence in Reporting
There is no clear indication that artificial intelligence was used in the writing of this article. However, if AI tools had been employed, they might have influenced the narrative style or data presentation, potentially steering the focus toward specific angles or interpretations.
In conclusion, the article serves as a critical examination of police conduct in a sensitive situation involving a disabled individual. The complexities of the incident reveal underlying issues in law enforcement practices and the treatment of vulnerable populations, calling for a nuanced discussion about necessary reforms.