Police officer sacked over use of excessive force

A police constable who used foul language and excessive force during two arrests has been dismissed for gross misconduct.

A force disciplinary panel heard how PC William Parker from Norfolk Police breached standards of professional behaviour in June 2024 while transporting a man to King's Lynn police station, swearing at him during the journey and later dragging him out of the van while handcuffed.

During an arrest in October 2024, he pulled a man down some stairs, "banging his head on the way" after the man swore at him.

Parker, who denied the allegations, but recognised he could have used different language, has the right to appeal the decision.

The disciplinary panel sat in May and was shown a range of evidence against Parker including body camera footage of the incidents, CCTV from a custody suite, as well as testimonies from other officers.

The panel report said during the arrest in June 2024: "Having told him (DW) to get out of the van he replied he would walk out and that you didn't have to be like this.

"You nevertheless took hold of his legs and pulled him, saying 'you've just smashed the **** out of my van, get out'.

"You pulled him with force off the seat by his feet / legs, causing him to land on the floor of the van on his front while handcuffed to the rear."

In October 2024, Parker was with two other officers arresting a man who "verbally abused you", the panel said.

The report continued: "You responded by pushing past your fellow officers, grabbing him and pulling him down the stairs, banging his head on the way down.

"Your behaviour was such that your fellow officers had to repeatedly tell you to leave him alone before you released him and stood back."

Parker was found to have breached professional standards of behaviour on two counts, where he had not shown authority, respect and courtesy and used excessive force.

He was dismissed without notice in May and placed on the police barred list.

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