MPS PC FINED FOR MISCONDUCT

12 Sep 2003 05:45 PM

PCA supervised investigation

A Metropolitan Police Service officer has been fined £500 after pleading guilty to misconduct in public office.

The officer P C David Wyvill will now face a misconduct hearing to decide his future with the Metropolitan Police.

The incident occurred in January 1999 but only came to light when Mr May's solicitor discovered that a neighbour had made a video of the incident. The video was sent to the Metropolitan Police's directorate of legal services in support of a civil claim. In turn the directorate of legal services contacted the directorate of professional standards in Norbury and a complaint investigation was started.

The Police Complaints Authority agreed to supervise the investigation in November 2001 and the report was received in May 2002.

The PCA is now awaiting the recommendations from the Metropolitan Police regarding the other officers involved as to whether they should face misconduct proceedings, which the Authority will consider.

Note for editors

The PCA issued the following press release on 23 July when he pleaded guilty:

At the Central Criminal Court Police Constable David Wyvill of the Metropolitan Police Service pleaded guilty to an offence of misconduct in a public office. PC Wyvill was one of five officers charged with misconduct following an incident in Erith on 29 January 1999. PC Wyvill changed his plea to guilty during the course of the trial and not guilty verdicts were recorded by the court against the other officers.

Although allegations were made against officers nearly two years after the incident, an immediate investigation was carried out by the MPS Professional Standards Department who referred the matter to the independent Police Complaints Authority for a supervised investigation.

As a result of the investigation five officers were suspended from duty and criminal charges brought against them. Although the trial has concluded the officers, who were based at Bexleyheath police station, remain suspended. There will be a review by the Metropolitan Police Service to consider possible disciplinary proceedings and their recommendations will be referred to the PCA.

Commenting on the case, Sir Alistair Graham, Chairman of the PCA, said: "The highest professional standards are expected from police officers. Misconduct must not be tolerated and public confidence in the police service must be maintained. I was impressed with the thoroughness and the speed of response from the force once the allegations had been received."

ENDS

BACKGROUND:
On 29 January 1999 a man was arrested by police after a pursuit during which his ankle was broken. The man requested urgent medical assistance and asked officers to call an ambulance. One of the police officers made an inappropriate comment to him. His request for medical assistance was not dealt with promptly by the officers. The incident, including the officer's comments, was recorded on CCTV.

POLICE COMPLAINTS AUTHORITY
10 Great George Street London SW1P 3AE - www.pca.gov.uk
The independent body established by Act of Parliament to oversee complaints by members of the public against the conduct of police officers