South Yorkshire Police officer accused of using "unnecessary force" on ex in presence of four-year-old child
A South Yorkshire Police officer accused of using “unnecessary force” against his ex-partner in the presence of their four-year-old child is set to face a misconduct hearing.
The allegation has been made against Matthew Mitchell.
He has also been accused of sending his ex-partner a number of “unnecessary and distressing” messages.
Mr Mitchell was a serving police sergeant at at the time of the allegations in November 2023 and March 2024, but is understood to have subsequently left the force.
The former officer is set to face the two allegations at a four-day South Yorkshire Police (SYP) misconduct hearing, which is scheduled to take place between March 30 and April 2, 2026.
Announcing details of the hearing, a SYP spokesperson said: “On 28th November 2023, the then serving officer used unnecessary force against his ex-partner, in the presence of their 4-year-old child.
“On 21st March 2024, the then serving officer sent a number of unnecessary and distressing messages to his ex-partner.
“This is a breach of the Standards of Professional Behaviour in respect of Discreditable Conduct.
“The matters set out above are breaches of the Standards which are so serious as to justify dismissal and therefore constitute gross misconduct.”
Detailing the “purpose” of public misconduct hearings, South Yorkshire Police’s website states it is to “show” their “disciplinary system is open and transparent” and to demonstrate that the force does “hold officers who breach the standards of professional behaviour, or those where misconduct is found proven, accountable for their actions.”
Hearings should be heard by a panel of three people that should be chaired by an independent legally qualified person chosen from a pool held by the local policing body, further guidance states.
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