Case against South Yorkshire Police officer accused of punching prisoner 'not proven'
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PC Christoper Rhodes was the subject of a misconduct hearing over an allegation that he used excessive force against a prisoner handcuffed in the back of a police car.
He was alleged to have repeatedly punched the prisoner in the face after arresting them on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly in the Greenside area of Greasbrough, Rotherham, in May 2017.
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Hide AdAhead of the hearing, South Yorkshire Police said: “It is alleged that PC Rhodes applied force to witness one, which was not necessary, proportionate or reasonable in the circumstances.
“In particular witness one was repeatedly punched in the face.
“Witness one suffered severe swelling to the face and a laceration which needed to be glued at hospital.
“The above alleged conduct breaches the standards of professional behaviour relating to use of force and if proven would amount to gross misconduct.”
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Hide AdBut after the officer was cleared of gross misconduct, the force said: “On May 30, 2017, officers attended Greenside area of Rotherham, where a member of the public was arrested for being drunk and disorderly.
“It was alleged that the officer used force to the detainee which was not necessary, proportionate or reasonable in the circumstances. In particular, by repeatedly punching the detainee to the face, whilst the person was handcuffed in the rear of a police car.
“The panel, which was chaired by an independent legally qualified chair, and included a senior police officer and a member of the public, determined that the allegation was not proven and no misconduct was found.”