Two Sussex Police officers dismissed for Tasering 92-year-old dementia patient

PC Stephen Smith and PC Rachel Comotto were dismissed without notice after using excessive force on Donald Burgess at a St Leonards care home in 2022.

Sussex officers sacked over Taser attack on 92-year-old care-home resident

Two Sussex Police officers have been dismissed without notice following a gross-misconduct hearing into the use of excessive force against a 92-year-old disabled dementia patient, The Argus reports.

PC Stephen Smith, 52, and PC Rachel Comotto, 37, were dismissed after the hearing concluded on 6 October. The pair had been called to a dementia care home in St Leonards on 21 June 2022 following reports of a resident in possession of a knife.

The resident, Donald Burgess, was subjected to a Taser, PAVA spray, handcuffs and a baton. He was taken to hospital and died three weeks later, though investigators found no evidence that the officers' actions contributed to his death.

Deputy Chief Constable Paul Court said he was "appalled" by the officers' conduct and issued a direct apology to the Burgess family.

"The force used against Mr Burgess by these officers was excessive, unnecessary and in no way reflects the conduct of those who serve in Sussex Police, particularly when responding to incidents involving vulnerable people and those in crisis," Court said.

He acknowledged that officers frequently face unpredictable situations requiring rapid decisions, but was unequivocal that this incident did not meet that threshold.

"Any use of force must be reasonable, necessary and proportionate and officers know they will be held accountable for their actions every time," Court said. "The absence of these qualities makes these two officers unsuitable to serve the communities of Sussex."

Both officers were acquitted of assault occasioning actual bodily harm at Southwark Crown Court in May 2025, following an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct. The misconduct hearing, however, operates under a different legal standard, and both were found to have committed gross misconduct.

The hearing also heard that, hours after the incident at the care home, Comotto posted a Facebook comment about care homes accompanied by a lightning bolt emoji. She later apologised to Mr Burgess's family.

Court confirmed that neither officer will be eligible to work in policing again. "Our thoughts remain with the family of Mr Burgess," he added.

Source: The Argus