West Midlands Police officer faces gross misconduct hearing after IOPC investigation

29 Jan 2018 03:11 PM

A West Midlands Police sergeant will face a gross misconduct hearing following an Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation into a custody incident in which a woman suffered a dislocated arm.

Police Sergeant Matthew Shaw is alleged to have breached professional standards of behaviour by using excessive force on the woman who had been detained under the Mental Health Act after being arrested to prevent a breach of the peace in Birmingham on 13 February 2015.

It is alleged that excessive force was used by Police Sergeant Shaw to remove the woman after she wrapped her arms around cell bars.

A local investigation by the force found no conduct or performance concerns. Further complaints submitted on behalf of the woman led to the IOPC starting an independent investigation in May 2016. That concluded in October 2016 and in the IOPC investigator’s opinion there was a case to answer for gross misconductagainst the officer.

The force disagreed but a misconduct hearing was directed by the IOPC and will begin tomorrow (Tuesday 30 January 2018). It is expected to last three days.

The IOPC’s final report was also referred to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) which led to the officer appearing in court in March last year (2017) charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm. The CPS later dropped the charge, however the IOPC determined that it is still appropriate for the disciplinary proceedings to be brought.

Use of force – West Midlands Police

Read information about our investigation into the use of force by West Midlands Police against a woman who had been detained at Birmingham Central Police station following her arrest on 13 February 2015.