Suffolk officer keeps job after striking suspect with Taser butt three times
PC Samuel Robinson avoided dismissal despite a gross misconduct ruling for striking a suspect on the head with his Taser during a 2021 arrest in Lowestoft.
Suffolk PC retains post after Taser used as weapon during Lowestoft arrest
A Suffolk Police constable who struck a suspect three times on the head with the butt of his Taser — a move described by a disciplinary panel as "improvised hammer blows" — has been allowed to remain in service, bbc.co.uk reports.
PC Samuel Robinson was called to a domestic dispute in Lowestoft in June 2021. The suspect, reported to have threatened two people with a metal pole after taking property from a storage unit, punched an officer and resisted arrest as officers moved to detain him.
During the struggle, Robinson unsuccessfully attempted to deploy his Taser. A colleague used PAVA spray — a substance similar to pepper spray — as the man continued to resist. Robinson then struck the suspect on the head with the butt of the device three times and kicked him. Officers provided first aid at the scene for a cut to the man's head before he was taken to hospital for further treatment.
The panel found Robinson had also used offensive language towards the suspect during the restraint.
Gross misconduct, no dismissal
Following a referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which completed its investigation in April 2022, a police disciplinary panel found Robinson guilty of gross misconduct. He received a five-year final written warning — the outcome stopping short of dismissal.
Robinson was subsequently charged with actual bodily harm. He was acquitted after a five-day trial at Southwark Crown Court, which concluded on 20 December 2024.
Emily Barry, IOPC director of engagement, said the panel found Robinson's use of force to be "unnecessary, unreasonable and disproportionate" and contrary to force training and guidance.
"PC Robinson's actions clearly fell far below the standards expected of police officers," Barry said, adding that it was "vital" that powers entrusted to officers are exercised "lawfully, proportionately and with restraint".
"Any use of force must always be necessary, reasonable and proportionate in the circumstances," she said.
Suffolk Police response
Suffolk Police declined to comment on the specifics of the case, stating it would wait until the "full written determination and further detail from the panel" had been published.
The force did note that officers face "challenging and dynamic situations" and are trained to use force only when it is "necessary, lawful, proportionate and reasonable". It added that in the vast majority of the hundreds of daily interactions Suffolk officers have with the public, force is not required.
Source: Google News UK — Crime (en)