Met Police officers accused of utilizing ‘extreme drive’ on boy, 14, to face gross misconduct listening to

Two Metropolitan Police officers will face a gross misconduct listening to over the cease and search of a black schoolboy.

De-Shaun Joseph was 14 years outdated and carrying his college uniform when he was detained in Blackhorse Road, Croydon, on 23 June final 12 months.

Police had been responding to a report {that a} 13-year-old boy had been robbed at knifepoint by 4 secondary college youngsters at a close-by tram cease. Their grounds for detaining De-Shaun was they believed he was one of many suspects.

Mobile cellphone footage exhibits officers forcing him on to the bottom face down earlier than handcuffing him.

The police watchdog launched an investigation after De-Shaun’s mom Janet Joseph made a criticism to the Met, alleging the officers used extreme drive in restraining and handcuffing De-Shaun, taking him to the ground and kneeling on his again.

It was claimed his remedy was motivated by discrimination due to his race and age and the watchdog additionally investigated the grounds for the search.

She told Sky News the officers had snatched his cell phone from him, pinned him in opposition to railings and handcuffed him.

She stated her son had been left “traumatised” by the incident, which had “massively” affected his schooling and triggered a “big distrust”.

“He is never going to forget that day, the trauma has been implanted,” she stated.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) stated on Tuesday two Met officers – a constable and an performing sergeant who haven’t been named – will face a gross misconduct listening to.

The listening to will contemplate alleged breaches of police requirements referring to their use of drive, their actions and feedback throughout the cease and search, and allegedly discriminating in opposition to the boy due to his race and age.

IOPC director Mel Palmer stated: “Mobile phone footage of part of this incident was shared to social media and widely viewed on mainstream news outlets, which led to public concern.

“It was essential that we investigated the total circumstances surrounding this incident to find out what occurred.

“We have now decided that two officers have cases to answer for gross misconduct and should face a hearing where a police disciplinary panel will decide whether the gross misconduct allegations are proven.”

Read extra:
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Stop and search ‘a rite of passage for black boys’

Chief Superintendent Andy Brittain, from the Met’s native policing crew in Croydon, stated: “We are aware of a decision by the Independent Office for Police Conduct that two officers have been found to have a case to answer for gross misconduct.

“We will now make the preparations for a listening to to happen. It’s essential we do not pre-judge the result of that listening to.

“This was an incident that caused significant community concern and this update may prompt further discussion.”