Sergeant Rhodri Davies of the South Wales Police force has been dismissed after a misconduct panel found him guilty of gross misconduct for his actions towards a handcuffed man. The panel described Sergeant Davies’ actions towards detainee Tariq Evans as “deplorable” and “unjustified,” leading to the decision for his immediate dismissal from the force. The incident took place on October 24, 2022, at Swansea Central Police Station, where Sergeant Davies, with nearly 20 years of experience, lost patience with Mr. Evans and resorted to swearing, pulling him to the floor, and hitting him while he was restrained.
Despite being previously regarded as a “popular” police sergeant with an unblemished record, the misconduct panel determined that Sergeant Davies had crossed a line with his actions towards Mr. Evans. The panel chairman, Christopher McKay, stated that there was no justification for Sergeant Davies’ intentional and deplorable actions, which could have caused physical and psychological harm to Mr. Evans. While Mr. Evans had been uncooperative and agitated, he posed no immediate threat at the time of the incident, making Sergeant Davies’ actions unwarranted.
The panel highlighted that police officers are expected to use force only to the extent necessary, proportionate, and reasonable in all circumstances, under Standard 4 – Use of Force. By breaching these standards and engaging in discreditable conduct, Sergeant Davies’ actions were deemed as gross misconduct by the panel. Despite attempts from his representative to argue for a lesser sanction based on Sergeant Davies’ past exemplary service, the panel concluded that his serious actions warranted dismissal.
Following the incident, Mr. Evans’ mother, Sarah Evans, expressed relief at the outcome of the hearing, stating that it was a positive development that Sergeant Davies would no longer be a police officer. She shared that her son had endured mental and physical trauma as a result of the altercation, impacting his ability to hold down a job and maintain relationships. Mrs. Evans raised concerns about her son’s treatment, emphasizing that he had not been charged with any offence related to the incident and highlighting the lasting effects on his mental health.
The panel’s decision came after another officer, PC Jack Williams, was sentenced to jail for using unreasonable force during Mr. Evans’ arrest. The investigation into Sergeant Davies was initiated based on observations from officers at the scene, indicating that he had used excessive force against Mr. Evans. While some officers initially supported Sergeant Davies’ actions, the panel ultimately found them to be unjustified and warranting dismissal from the force.
In light of the outcome, Mrs. Evans expressed gratitude that Sergeant Davies would no longer be in a position to harm others, particularly individuals in vulnerable states like her son. The incident has brought attention to the importance of upholding professional conduct and ensuring that individuals in police custody are treated with dignity and respect, regardless of the circumstances. Overall, the case serves as a reminder of the accountability and standards expected of law enforcement officers in serving and protecting the community.