Officer used excessive force against drunk man

PC Ryan Wilson had been mentoring a new Derbyshire Police officer at the time

A police officer has been given a final written warning over his use of force against a drunk teenager.

PC Ryan Wilson, of Derbyshire Police, was found to have used excessive and unnecessary force against an 18-year-old man during an incident in Derby city centre on 16 October 2021.

The teenager was taken to the floor with a leg sweep before incapacitant spray was used and a Taser aimed at him by PC Wilson, a gross misconduct hearing was told in June.

Following the hearing, PC Wilson was given a final written warning which will stay on his file for two years.

Allegations against a second officer, who was present at the time of the incident, were dismissed.

'Totally unreasonable'

The force had earlier decided PC Wilson and the other officer should face action at the lower level of misconduct.

However, in August, the teenager asked the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) to review that decision and it subsequently recommended the officer should face a gross misconduct hearing.

The hearing in June was told the 18-year-old was detained for causing problems outside a nightclub and then drove to Chaddesden where he was told to get out, the IOPC said.

A document from the hearing, published by police, said PC Wilson used force which was "not necessary, proportional or reasonable in all the circumstances", after the teenager attempted to get back into the car.

The panel accepted the officers were "faced with a difficult situation" but that it did not justify the force used by PC Wilson.

PC Wilson had breached the standards of professional behaviour, of discreditable conduct, duties and responsibilities and use of force, the panel found.

The force said it respected the outcome of the hearing

Det Ch Con Simon Blatchly said: “The evidence that the misconduct meeting heard was shocking and I am deeply disappointed by the actions of PC Wilson.

“At the time of this incident he was a tutor – tasked with showing a new officer how to keep our communities safe.

“However, his conduct at the time of the incident fell far below the standard that I would expect for an officer dealing with a situation of this nature.

“The use of force by PC Wilson during this incident was clearly not commensurate, and in fact totally unreasonable, considering the lack of risk posed by the member of the public.

“Officers and staff are put in situations where they are called upon to use force, sometimes lethally, and where this is appropriate and proportionate, they will receive the force’s unwavering support.

“But where a member of Derbyshire Constabulary fails to act accordingly – then we will carry out an investigation into their behaviour."

Follow BBC Derby on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [e-mail] or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.