Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC - formerly IPCC)
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IPCC publishes report into actions of MPS Sergeant at G20 protests
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has today published the final report following its investigation into two allegations against a Metropolitan Police Sergeant at the G20 protests.
Sergeant Anthony Delroy Smellie was seen on video footage using a baton to strike 23-year-old Nicola Fisher on 2 April 2009. A second woman also complained that Sergeant Smellie had thrown her to the ground while clearing the Climate Camp on 1 April 2009.
A file of evidence was passed to the Crown Prosecution Service in August 2009 in relation to the incident involving Nicola Fisher and they decided that Sergeant Smellie should be charged with common assault.
He stood trial at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in March 2010 and the District Judge who heard the case found him not guilty.
The IPCC then completed its misconduct report, which concluded that in the circumstances of Sgt Smellie's acquittal there was no further case to answer, and submitted it to the MPS for their consideration. On 7 June 2010 the MPS wrote to the IPCC proposing no further action and the IPCC has agreed with them.
The IPCC has made two recommendations as a result of this investigation:
- MPS should ensure that all items of equipment which are worn by officers, including overalls, high visibility jackets and other items of clothing, have the officer’s shoulder number attached in such a way as to be readily identifiable and not easily removable.
- the MPS should review planned public order deployment shift patterns to ensure all officers achieve minimum 8 hour rest breaks in order to be in a fit state to perform their duties.
IPCC Deputy Chair Deborah Glass said: “Now that proceedings are concluded we are publishing our final report. Most of the detail is already in the public domain as a result of Sergeant Smellie’s trial, but given the public interest in the case, I believe it is important to ensure there is a public record of the investigation and our findings.”
Notes to editors:
The Commissioner's Report is available at www.ipcc.gov.uk/Commissioners_Report_Sergeant_Smellie.pdf
Issued by Trish Keville, IPCC Press Officer for London and south east on 0207 166 3130 or, out of hours, call 07717 851 157
