Two serving Metropolitan Police officers and a former officer will face a gross misconduct hearing after a 90-year-old woman with dementia was "red-dotted" with a Taser, handcuffed and put in a spit hood. The woman was targeted with the Taser when she refused to drop kitchen utensils she had been holding after officers were called to an address in Peckham, south London, on 9 May 2023 over reports of a disturbance. She was then handcuffed and taken to hospital, but not arrested. Following an investigation, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) found two serving PCs and a former PC had gross misconducts cases to answer over the treatment of the woman. The IOPC launched its investigation in June 2023 after a voluntary referral from the Met and a complaint from the family over use of force and allegation of discrimination due to the woman's age, race, sex and disability. It was determined there was a gross misconduct case to answer for one officer over their treatment of the woman, including their use of force regarding the Taser and their communication towards her. Another serving officer and former officer, who left the force in August, will also answer their own cases over the time the woman was kept in the handcuffs and spit hood and failing to take into account her age and disability during the incident. The police watchdog found no evidence the woman was discriminated against based on race or sex. The Met said both the serving officers had been placed on restricted duties, while three other officers will undergo a reflective practice review process following their behaviour during the incident. IOPC director Amanda Rowe said: "This was a concerning incident particularly given the woman's vulnerabilities. "It was important that we investigated the full circumstances surrounding this incident to determine exactly what occurred. "As a result we have decided that three officers who attended the incident should face a police disciplinary hearing which will ultimately determine whether the gross misconduct allegations are proven." Ch Supt Emma Bond, who leads policing in Southwark, said: "Officers know we expect them to show compassion and to adjust their approach according to the circumstances they are faced with. Over the coming days we will work closely with those communities most affected to ensure they feel heard and supported. "We have provided every assistance to the IOPC throughout its investigation and will now arrange for the hearing to be held as soon as possible." Listen to the best of BBC Radio London onSoundsand follow BBC London onFacebook,XandInstagram. Send your story ideas tohello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk
PCs who put spit hood on 90-year-old face hearing
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Metropolitan Police Officers Face Misconduct Hearing Over Treatment of Elderly Woman"
Bbc News
7.8
TruthLens AI Summary
A gross misconduct hearing is set to take place for two serving Metropolitan Police officers and a former officer following an incident involving a 90-year-old woman with dementia. The incident occurred on May 9, 2023, in Peckham, south London, when police were summoned to a disturbance. Upon arrival, the officers encountered the elderly woman who was reportedly holding kitchen utensils. When she refused to comply with orders to drop the items, she was subjected to the use of a Taser, handcuffed, and fitted with a spit hood. Although she was taken to the hospital, she was not arrested. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) initiated an investigation in June 2023 after receiving a voluntary referral from the Metropolitan Police and a complaint from the woman's family regarding the use of force and potential discrimination based on her age, race, sex, and disability. The investigation concluded that there were gross misconduct cases to answer for the officers involved, particularly focusing on the treatment of the woman and the appropriateness of the force used, including the deployment of the Taser.
The IOPC's findings indicated that while one officer would face allegations related to the use of force and communication with the woman, the other two officers would answer for their actions concerning the handcuffing and the application of the spit hood, as well as their failure to consider the woman’s vulnerabilities due to her age and disability. However, the investigation found no evidence of discrimination based on race or sex. In response to the incident, the Metropolitan Police stated that both serving officers are currently on restricted duties, while three additional officers will undergo a reflective practice review. IOPC director Amanda Rowe emphasized the importance of investigating such incidents, especially given the vulnerabilities of the individual involved. Ch Supt Emma Bond from Southwark underscored the expectation for officers to exhibit compassion and adapt their approaches to the specific circumstances they encounter, affirming the police's commitment to community engagement and support following this troubling event.
TruthLens AI Analysis
You need to be a member to generate the AI analysis for this article.
Log In to Generate AnalysisNot a member yet? Register for free.