A South Wales Police sergeant, Rhodri Davies, has been found guilty of gross misconduct for striking a handcuffed man as he lay face down in a custody suite. The police misconduct panel determined that Sgt Davies’ actions were ‘reckless’ and ‘dangerous’, leading to the conclusion of gross misconduct. The incident occurred on October 24, 2022, at the Swansea Central Police Station, where Davies took Tariq Evans to the ground and struck him three times while he was restrained.
Chairman of the panel, Christopher McKay, highlighted that Sgt Davies’ conduct was unacceptable, particularly in bringing the detainee to the ground and using a dangerous restraint technique. The panel also noted that despite some mitigating factors, the overall force used by Sgt Davies against Mr Evans was deemed unlawful, unreasonable, and constituting gross misconduct. The panel reviewed extensive CCTV and body-worn camera footage from the incident during their deliberations.
While the panel found Davies’ actions in the custody suite to be gross misconduct, his behaviour in the cell following the incident was categorized as misconduct. The combination of these actions led to the panel determining gross misconduct overall. The hearing brought in additional concerns regarding Sgt Davies’s conduct, including the use of inappropriate language towards Mr Evans, indicating a loss of temper on his part.
An important aspect of the hearing was the acknowledgment that Mr Evans had shown violent behaviour before being brought into custody but posed no significant threat at the time of the incident. The panel emphasized that despite any challenging behaviour exhibited by the detainee, it did not justify the excessive force used by Sgt Davies. The fallout from this incident is significant, with Sgt Davies facing potential dismissal from the police force following the panel’s decision.
The case had further complications due to the involvement of another police officer, PC Jack Williams, who had previously been jailed for using unreasonable force against Mr Evans. The investigation into Sgt Davies was prompted by a report from PC Rees, who witnessed the incident and raised concerns about the use of force. However, during the hearing, PC Rees appeared to retract some of his initial statements, causing scrutiny over the testimony provided.
The outcome of the misconduct panel’s decision will be revealed on January 17, determining the future of Sgt Davies within the police force. The panel may consider various sanctions, including dismissal, demotion, or a final warning. The extensive review of the incident and the subsequent legal proceedings shed light on the importance of upholding professional standards and accountability within law enforcement agencies.