Police vilified for doing job - federation boss

A police federation has criticised how the watchdog investigated two officers who were seen using force while arresting a man.

The police constables were captured in video footage using PAVA spray and appearing to strike a man, who was in a wheelchair, in Great Yarmouth in May 2024.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) revealed last week that the officers would face no further action.

Andy Symonds, chairman of the Norfolk Police Federation, said the IOPC should investigate matters more quickly and said officers were "publicly vilified" for doing their job.

"I can think of no other profession around the world that is scrutinised like police officers are," he said.

Mr Symonds said the pair dealt with a "difficult scenario" and were "faced with threats of violence".

"Officers decided to act as they can't simply walk away," he explained.

"As a result, they were investigated for an unacceptable amount of time for what was a simple case in which most of the incident was captured on CCTV and officer's body-worn video."

He said in the pursuit of justice colleagues could be "unfairly scrutinised, punished or even prosecuted" for making decisions in split-second situations.

In footage taken from CCTV and bystanders, one officer appeared to strike the man several times and a second officer appeared to use PAVA spray.

Michael McQueen, 37, of no fixed address, was arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker following the incident outside Londis in St Peter's Road on 20 May.

Prosecutors discontinued any action against him, but McQueen was given a custodial sentence in October for separate anti-social behaviour offences.

The IOPC investigation found there was no evidence that either officer behaved in a manner that would justify bringing disciplinary proceedings.

However, Mr Symonds said damage had been done "reputationally and emotionally".

"This intense scrutiny is one of the reasons why we see police officers leave the service," he said.

Officers were "regularly expected" to navigate dangerous and emotionally charged scenarios, he said, where material was often shared on social media.

"To continue to turn up to work and cope with daily life with the question mark on whether you will be charged with a criminal offence or be referred to a gross misconduct hearing, where you could lose your job, is immeasurable."

IOPC director Derrick Campbell said the watchdog would investigate police actions without "fear or favour".

"Police officers have considerable powers to protect the public and tackle crime and it is right that police officers are held to a higher standard than members of the public," he explained.

"We know the impact that lengthy investigations can have on those involved, including officers, victims and their families, and timelines is something we've been working hard on to improve, because we know that a slow system doesn't benefit anyone."

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