Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC - formerly IPCC)
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A former Essex officer committed gross misconduct by making light of an incident in which a man lost the tips of three of his fingers while in custody

A former Essex Police officer who forcibly removed a man from a toilet resulting in him losing the tops of three of his fingers, was found to have breached police professional standards of behaviour in relation to authority, respect, courtesy and discreditable conduct by acting in a disrespectful manner about the injuries the man sustained.

The misconduct hearing started on Tuesday 7 May and concluded on Friday 24 May.

Former Insp Christopher Tyler, who has now retired, was cleared of gross misconduct in relation to allegations of excessive use of force, but found to have committed gross misconduct over his conduct following the incident. The panel said he would have received a final written warning had he still been a serving officer.

Four other officers; Temporary Police Sergeant Marcus Buckley, PC Joseph Hawthorne, PC Nicholas Pulham and PC Richard Philipsen were also cleared of gross misconduct relating to allegations of excessive use of force at the hearing.

The incident took place in the early hours of 1 May, 2015, in Colchester police station following the arrest of the 33-year-old man referred to as Mr S.

A number of officers entered the man’s cell to remove his foot from a toilet. Once the man’s foot was removed from the toilet, he then moved back to the toilet and gripped onto the toilet rim.

The officers used a number of techniques to remove him from the toilet. As a result of this, three of the fingertips on his left hand were severed and he was taken to hospital.

A referral was made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) and an investigationwas launched.

In November 2015 we received a second referral in relation to Insp Tyler, and his behaviour relating to the incident both in the hours after the man was injured and later in October 2015.

Insp Tyler had previously admitted in part to one allegation in respect to his actions after the incident. Both investigations were completed in April 2017.

IOPC Regional Director Sarah Green yesterday said:

“These officers encountered a difficult situation and the man’s welfare was their responsibility. The subsequent conduct of Mr Tyler in making light of Mr S’s injuries shows a shocking lack of professionalism and the panel has recognised this in its judgement.

“During our investigation we made quick time learning recommendations to Essex Police and the National College of Policing to reduce the risk of detainees suffering serious injury, following which Essex Police has replaced toilets with the same design.”

 

Channel website: https://policeconduct.gov.uk/

Original article link: https://policeconduct.gov.uk/news/former-essex-officer-committed-gross-misconduct-making-light-incident-which-man-lost-tips-three

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