Met PC denies misconduct over bus stop arrest

PC Perry Lathwood arrested a woman as she got off a bus

A Metropolitan police officer who wrongly arrested a woman in 2023 for bus fare evasion has denied gross misconduct.

PC Perry Lathwood was fined £1,500 for assaulting Jocelyn Agyemang, who had been travelling on a bus in Croydon, south London with her young son, but had his conviction quashed last September.

He is now facing misconduct proceedings over the allegation that he used force against the woman when there was no lawful basis for the use of force.

If the allegation is proved, it could amount to gross misconduct and lead to his dismissal.

PC Lathwood is also accused of using inappropriate language when he arrested Ms Agyemang, calling her "love" and a "daft cow", the tribunal heard.

Cecily White, a barrister representing the Met Police, told the hearing the alleged language is "dismissive and condescending", particularly towards women.

Ms White said Ms Agyemang had been stopped getting off a bus in Whitehorse Road, Croydon, where Transport for London (TfL) inspectors were being assisted by police as part of a ticket checking operation.

In PC Lathwood's body-worn footage, shown to the hearing, Ms Agyemang is heard saying "can you get off my arm", "I haven't done anything" and "get off me", before she begins shouting: "Can you get off me? This man is hurting me" while her son appears to become increasingly distressed.

The footage appears to show PC Lathwood shouting at her to "stop resisting" and shortly afterwards says "there's a road behind you you daft cow, stay here".

When Ms Agyemang's Oyster card was checked and it was confirmed she had paid her fare, she was de-arrested at the scene.

That evening Ms Agyemang called police and said she had been restrained by an officer who had hurt her arm such that it was "feeling dead" and still hurting.

She reportedly said she did not understand why she had been dealt in that way and had been crying on the phone.

A video of the incident shared on social media went viral, the tribunal heard.

Ms White told the hearing PC Lathwood is "obviously angry and frustrated" in the footage, and said it was "obviously disproportionate and unnecessary to apply that use of force and to handcuff her".

The tribunal continues.