A Metropolitan Police officer has been permanently barred from the force after a disciplinary panel found he used 'unnecessary and disproportionate' force when he Tasered a man during a Covid lockdown breach.
The incident occurred on 16th January 2021, at the height of England's strict lockdown measures, when officers were called to reports of a large gathering at a commercial premises in Edmonton, north London.
PC Jonathan Marsh, attached to the North Area Basic Command Unit, deployed his Taser on a man who was being arrested for breaching Coronavirus regulations. The panel heard that the individual was not physically resisting arrest at the moment the Taser was discharged.
Panel Finds Gross Misconduct
A misconduct hearing, which concluded on Monday, found that PC Marsh's actions constituted gross misconduct. The panel ruled that his use of the conducted energy device was not justified, reasonable, or proportionate in the circumstances.
The independent chair stated that the officer's actions had 'damaged public confidence' in the police service, particularly at a time when officers were enforcing deeply unpopular public health restrictions.
A Breach of Professional Standards
PC Marsh was found to have breached the Standards of Professional Behaviour in respect of:
- Use of Force: Failing to use force only when absolutely necessary.
- Authority, Respect and Courtesy: Not acting with self-control and tolerance.
- Discreditable Conduct: Behaving in a manner likely to discredit the police service.
As a result, he has been added to the College of Policing's barred list, preventing him from future employment within the police service.
A Metropolitan Police Service spokesperson said: 'We expect our officers to behave professionally and with the utmost integrity at all times. The use of force is scrutinised thoroughly, and where it is found to be inappropriate, we will take robust action.'
