On 14 January 2017 British Transport Police officers on duty at Doncaster railway station became concerned for the safety of a man who appeared unsteady on his feet. They tried to stop him to speak with him, but the man left quickly saying he had a train to catch. The man then got on a train, and locked himself in one of the toilets.
Officers followed the man onto the train and began to search for him. Having knocked on a locked toilet cubicle door with no response, they asked a train guard to open the door for them. They found the man in the toilet and asked him to step off the train on to the platform due to concerns about his welfare. The man refused to leave the train and a physical altercation began between the man and the officers. Officers used force and restraint on the man.
The man complained that, during the altercation, he was punched to the back of the head. The man’s mother subsequently made a complaint that one of the officers had struck him several times with their knee and fist. One of the officers who was present at the incident also expressed concerns that that officer had used excessive force.
During the investigation, investigators interviewed the officer under criminal caution on suspicion of assault, as there was an indication that they may have behaved in a manner which would justify the bringing of disciplinary proceedings. Investigators also spoke to the man, and to other police witnesses to ascertain what force was used on the man; they viewed CCTV footage of the incident.
The Investigator formed the opinion that there was sufficient evidence upon which a reasonable tribunal, properly directed, could find gross misconduct.
Having reviewed our report, British Transport Police agreed that the officer had a case to answer for gross misconduct in respect of use of force. They arranged a hearing at which the allegations were proven. The officer was dismissed immediately without notice.
