Police worker fired for ‘excessive force’

FAST-TRACK HEARING LEADS TO DISMISSAL

A police employee roughed up a prisoner - then sent footage of the attack over WhatsApp.

Northumbria Police has now confirmed it has sacked the heavyhanded custody worker.

The shamed ex-staff member filmed CCTV footage of the incident on a mobile phone before sending it to his friends.

The force dismissed the worker instantly following a fast-tracked disciplinary hearing.

“This case was dealt with swiftly and robustly, and shows we will not shy away from taking positive action when officers and staff fall short of the high standards we expect,” said a force spokesperson.

The incident occurred inside a custody suite cell at the Forth Banks station in Newcastle.

We have learned the culprit - who hasn’t been named - was sacked at a behind-closed-doors hearing in January.

Misconduct hearings involving police officers are almost always held publicly, in a move introduced by Prime Minister Theresa May to improve transparency.

However as the person was a civilian member of staff, the meeting could - and was - held in private.

However a panel ruled the worker had breached standards in confidentiality and use of force.

The spokesperson added: “The force has held a misconduct meeting for a police staff member to answer allegations of using excessive force while restraining a detainee and breaching the Data Protection Act by sending messages via the platform WhatsApp.

“As a result, the individual concerned has been dismissed.”