GMP officer cleared

A POLICE watchdog has found an officer used ‘unnecessary force’ on a man in custody but a Greater Manchester Police (GMP) tribunal cleared him of misconduct.

An Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) investigation found the officer hit Neville Edwards, four times, while he was in custody at Longsight police station in 2015.

The IPCC directed Greater Manchester Police to hold disciplinary proceedings for misconduct last September.

Earlier this month, a GMP panel found the officer, a Custody Detention Officer (CDO), was not guilty of misconduct.

Mr Edwards was held in custody between July 16-17, 2015, for allegedly being drunk and disorderly on Princess Road, Whalley Range. He later complained two officers used excessive force on him while he was in a cell.

During the struggle, Mr Edwards bit a police sergeant and he was charged with assault causing actual bodily harm. He was later sentenced to 12 months in jail for the offence.

But the IPCC investigation found Mr Edwards was struck by the CDO before the biting took place. The findings said the CDO used ‘unnecessary force’ and would have to undergo a misconduct hearing.

Another police officer, who struck him on the back and applied a pressure point to his jaw, carried out the action after the biting incident. The IPCC ruled this officer, a sergeant, did not have a case to answer for misconduct.

IPCC Commissioner Jan Williams said: “The decision to direct misconduct proceedings – never taken lightly – ensured that the custody detention officer’s actions were properly held to account.” GMP’s Chf Spt Annette Anderson said: “A misconduct meeting was held on the 17 August 2017 and the panel found the case not proven.”

Mr Edwards is seeking legal advice on potential civil action against GMP and the officer.