WIREDGOV

A Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) Detective Constable (DC) will be subject to learning concerning the account he made following a routine stop and search of a 17-year-old male teenager in Romford in 2019.

Under new police regulations, DC Kevin Rowley will undertake the reflective practice review process, working with his supervisor to reflect on what happened, identify any actions required to put the issues right and learn from the incident to prevent reoccurrence.

DC Rowley arrested the male on suspicion of possession of class B drugs on Heath Park Road, Romford on 22 April 2019 and used his baton after he had been handcuffed.

Following a trial at Hendon Magistrates’ Court, held on 23 January 2020, DC Rowley was acquitted of assaulting the teenager.

After the arrest and review of mobile phone footage, the MPS referred the matter to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) in April 2019.

In September 2019, we referred the matter to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). On reviewing the evidence gathered during our investigation, the CPS decided to charge DC Rowley with assault.

Our investigation found that DC Rowley also had a case to answer for gross misconduct concerning his use of force. The MPS agreed with our findings.

Following DC Rowley’s trial, the MPS reviewed the matter and, based on the evidence provided to the court, found that DC Rowley no longer had a case to answer for his use of force and the IOPC agreed.

Regional Director Sal Naseem yesterday said:

“Where officers come and give full and frank accounts, this can help speed up the process for everyone. If DC Rowley had told us what he told the court, this matter could have been concluded much earlier, which is regrettable. We’d encourage the MPS to also consider any learning from this.”