Northern Ireland

PSNI worker sacked over ‘serious and unwarranted assault’ on detainee

The man had been questioned at Musgrave police station (PA)
By Allan Preston

A PSNI worker has been sacked over a “serious and unwarranted assault” on an intoxicated detainee at Musgrave Police Station.

The Civilian Detention Officer (CDO) also received a suspended sentence over the incident in May 2020, in which he twice used his knee to strike the face of a detained man.

An investigation by the Police Ombudsman found the detainee had already been restrained when the attack took place and suffered an eye injury and bleeding nose.

Convicted of common assault, the CDO was sentenced to four months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months.

The detainee had been arrested on suspicion of breaching his bail conditions and assaulting police.

Police Ombudsman, Mrs Marie Anderson, commented: “This was a volatile situation, but it was also a serious and unwarranted assault on a man who was intoxicated. Police detainees are often vulnerable and distressed, and this type of behaviour has no place in custody suites.”

She also praised the “courage and integrity” of another CDO, who raised concerns about the incident with his supervisor and custody sergeant.

“Importantly, the custody sergeant viewed the CCTV footage to confirm what had happened. His actions are evidence of the importance of the custody sergeant role.”

Ombudsman investigators obtained CCTV footage of the attack, which showed the detainee was taken to a search room by two CDOs who suspected he was hiding drugs. The man threatened to headbutt the officers, prompting the now dismissed CDO using his forearm to “slam” him against the wall.

At the time, the other CDO had been dealing with the man’s property but rushed to assist and restrain the man to the ground.

The assault happened as both CDOs were holding on to the man’s arm and head while trying to apply handcuffs.

According to the Ombudsman report, “an audible pop” could be heard on the CCTV footage as the blows connected.

A police sergeant later told the investigators it made for uncomfortable viewing.

During his interview about the incident, the sacked CDO said the detainee had a history of spitting at police staff and that he used forced to prevent him doing so again.

He claimed using his knee, which had a large foam pad on his trousers, was the “lesser of two evils” compared to hitting the man with his open hand or fist. This was dismissed by investigators, who said the man was clearly restrained and “posed little threat”.

Following the conviction, the Ombudsman recommended a misconduct hearing take place which led to the CDO’s dismissal from the PSNI.

Commenting on the dismissal, the PSNI’s Assistant Chief Officer for People and Organisational Development Clare Duffield said: “We expect the highest standards of professionalism and integrity from all of our police officers and police staff and where conduct falls short of these high standards, it is right that officers or designated staff should face an impartial, thorough enquiry by the Police Ombudsman’s office.

“The Police Service accepted the findings of the Ombudsman in this case and implemented an internal disciplinary process which resulted in the dismissal of the staff member concerned.”