'Unnecessary force' used in woman's arrest, panel told

The misconduct hearing relates to an incident in December 2021

Two police officers allegedly used "unnecessary force" when arresting a woman in distress, a misconduct panel has been told.

The officers, from Avon and Somerset Police, were called to Clifton Suspension Bridge, Bristol, after 01:00 GMT on 4 December 2021, following reports that the woman was intoxicated and attempting to climb over a wall.

It is alleged that the female constables, who cannot be named for legal reasons, used an artificial pepper spray, stood on her arm and "laughed at her suffering".

Both officers, who have since resigned from the force, admit misconduct but deny gross misconduct.

'Appalling treatment'

The misconduct panel was told the officers, referred to as PC A and PC B, grabbed the woman's hair and throat during the arrest, made fun of her and were sarcastic, condescending or antagonistic.

When the woman was placed into the back of a police car, PC B sprayed her with PAVA, an artificial pepper spray, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Barrister Alan Jenkins, representing the force, said the treatment of the woman was "appalling" and "brutal".

“They breached a whole raft of standards for professional behaviour and their actions amount to gross misconduct," he added.

Mr Jenkins said the woman, referred to as Miss A, had mental health issues and was known to police.

He added that there was a "force tactical plan" in place for officers who had dealings with her to follow, such as contacting her mother and considering using emergency police powers to take her to a safe place.

However, neither officer did this, he said.

'Grossly improper'

The panel was also told that the officers failed to check Miss A's wellbeing after she intentionally banged her head on the ground

She was taken to Patchway police station and placed into custody.

Mr Jenkins told the panel that the officers "failed to have any compassion and failed to have any regard whatsoever to [Miss A's] mental health issues".

Body-worn video footage was played to the panel, where one of the officers was heard telling a colleague: "I told you I would PAVA someone".

Mr Jenkins said the comment was "grossly improper", adding that it was a "rather chilling reference" to the way PC B approaches policing.

The hearing, which is due to last until Friday, continues.