Latest news with #police misconduct
RNZ News
15 hours ago
- RNZ News
Police officer who beat his children with a belt subject to another employment process
The senior police officer has been subject to investigations after allegations surfaced that he had physically disciplined his children using a belt. (File pic) Photo: Richard Tindiller A senior police officer who admitted to beating his children with a belt is the subject of another "employment process," police have confirmed. The staffer, referred to as Officer A, was the subject of investigations by police and the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) after allegations surfaced in July 2023 that he had physically disciplined his children using a belt. Officer A was not charged due to insufficient admissible evidence, but was censured for serious misconduct. In February this year the case was made public when the IPCA released its findings into the allegations, describing the sanction as "grossly inadequate". In response to questions from RNZ, a police spokesperson confirmed on Thursday they were aware of a report in relation to Officer A and an "employment process" was under way. "It's not appropriate to share any more detail about that at this time." An IPCA spokesperson confirmed the authority was notified of a complaint made to police about an incident that occurred on 23 May. "We have written to the complainant with our decision." The IPCA declined to say what the complaint was, or what the authority's decision was. IPCA chairperson Judge Kenneth Johnston, KC released his findings in relation to Officer A in February. Inquiries began on 28 July 2023 after Officer A, a senior police officer who was at the time the officer-in-charge at a North Island location, came to the attention of police and Oranga Tamariki when it was reported that he had physically disciplined his children using a belt. Police advised the authority and initiated an investigation along with Oranga Tamariki. Police and Oranga Tamariki spoke to the children in preliminary interviews, which cannot be used as evidence. OT ended their involvement when they completed a risk assessment and concluded that the children were not likely to face further harm. When asked by police, Officer A and his wife refused to give permission for their children to be interviewed for evidential purposes. After OT withdrew, police chose not to pursue other avenues to interview the children. Later, Officer A elected not to make a statement to police. This brought the criminal investigation to an end as there was insufficient admissible evidence. The IPCA commenced an independent investigation and interviewed Officer A and his wife. No information gathered by the IPCA is admissible in court. Officer A admitted to the IPCA that he "physically disciplined his children". "He said that on two different occasions he had used a webbing belt on them, striking their buttocks and upper legs." One occasion was on his two daughters (one was a young teenager and the other under 10 years old) because they had been fighting, including in church, and about a year earlier on his son (also under 10) as he had been "naughty". He said both he and his wife tried to be "good parents" but on occasion physical discipline was needed to "reset" the children. He acknowledged he was aware physically disciplining children was no longer protected by the law. The IPCA said the officer couldn't rely on the defence in section 59 of the Crimes Act, which provides that reasonable force on a child may be justified in certain circumstances. "Accordingly, our view is that the officer's use of a belt to discipline his children constituted three offences of assault on a child." However, it did not make any recommendations to police because they had already concluded criminal and employment processes. Police completed an employment process which resulted in the officer being censured for serious misconduct. "Inexplicably, one of the mitigating factors police took into account when considering the appropriate sanction, was that they had not initiated criminal proceedings," Johnston said. "In our assessment, the sanction (which we accept was ultimately a matter for the decision maker) was grossly inadequate given the nature of the officer's actions and the officer's seniority, position and level of responsibility." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Daily Mail
18 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Des O'Connor's daughter says police 'cannot be trusted with women's safety' after decision not to sack officer who called her 'amazingly hot' and sexually harassed her while investigating her mugging
The daughter of Des O'Connor said police 'cannot be trusted with women's safety' after a police officer was not sacked for calling her 'amazingly hot' and sexually harassing her while investigating her mugging. Former Metropolitan Police detective chief inspector James Mason was given a final written warning by the panel in October 2021 for calling Kristina O'Connor, 37, his 'favourite Camden victim of crime ' and asking her out after she was injured in an attempted robbery in October 2011. A police misconduct panel previously found that Mr Mason, 47, used his authority to sexually harass her and that his behaviour amounted to gross misconduct, but ruled that it would have been 'disproportionately harsh' to sack him or reduce his rank. Mr Mason subsequently resigned from the force in 2022. The same panel reconvened on Thursday at Sutton police station to hear legal representations. In 2011, after being bruised and given a black eye during an attempted robbery, Ms O'Connor reported the attack and was taken to Kentish Town police station, a court heard. While taking down her statement, Mr Mason, then a detective sergeant, asked if he could take her out for dinner that evening. He then emailed her the next day asking her out for a drink and told her that despite her injuries: 'I am sure you still looking amazingly hot.' When she asked him to stop, Mr Mason wrote: 'Coming on to victims is positively encouraged, it's all part of the friendly and accessible face of the Met Police. It's the rejection that is frowned upon.' Ms O'Connor, who was 24 at the time of the incident, was unsuccessful in a 2023 High Court legal challenge against the panel's decision after alleging Mr Mason's actions were 'predatory and abusive', and the police had 'failed to properly investigate' a complaint. She appealed against the High Court ruling at a hearing in December last year, with the Court of Appeal ruling in January that the panel should reconsider its decision. Ms O'Connor, whose late father was a comedian, singer and television presenter, said she wanted to 'encourage women to continue to speak out, if they feel able to'. In a statement issued by Bindmans law firm, Ms O'Connor said: 'Regardless of the panel's decision, my experience has taught me that the police cannot be trusted with women's safety. 'I was abused by a police officer who should have been helping me. Since reporting his behaviour I have seen first-hand how the police were more interested in protecting themselves than helping me find justice, or protecting other women. 'I have spent many years questioning whether the policing system can be fixed and have come to the conclusion that if we are serious about women's safety, it needs replacing entirely.' David Messling, representing the Metropolitan Police at Thursday's hearing, said Mr Mason's conduct harmed 'public trust in policing'. Mr Messling told the panel: 'It was conduct that continued despite the victim challenging it and the officer indicating that he was fully aware the conduct was improper. 'This was an example of a police officer who was looking to take sexual advantage, by means of his position, of a vulnerable victim of crime. 'It goes to the heart of public trust and confidence in the police. We all understand the need to be on guard against crime, but victims of crime should not have to be on their guard against police officers.' Mitigating for Mr Mason, Ailsa Williamson said his conduct was 'not planned' and was 'limited to a period of two successive days'. Ms Williamson told the panel: 'While Mr Mason did not intend any harm to Ms O'Connor, he should have anticipated his attempts to pursue her could have impacted her trust in police officers. 'The harassment does not involve any physical contact and does not persist beyond those two days.' Discussing Mr Mason, Ms Williamson added: 'From the outset he's always accepted that his actions were inappropriate and unprofessional, and he continues to offer his unreserved apology to Ms O'Connor. 'He deeply recognises and regrets the harm caused to Ms O'Connor, the reputation of the Metropolitan Police Service and to those closest to him affected by these proceedings.' Ms O'Connor made a complaint against the Metropolitan Police in 2020 after a Facebook memory showed her the original emails, before taking legal action against the panel's decision. Nancy Collins, who is representing Ms O'Connor, said: 'Kristina has been extraordinarily brave in her tireless pursuit for justice. 'She chose to waive her anonymity and fight to challenge the outcome of a complaints process that failed to reflect the gravity of the experience she suffered through the serious misconduct of an officer in whom she had placed her trust. 'She has exposed the failures of the system. It is imperative that those who abuse positions of power are properly held to account and that the gravity of their actions is accurately reflected in any penalty awarded.'
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Yahoo
Ex-Pc sacked for ‘aggressive' arrest is appealing against dismissal, force says
An ex-police officer who was sacked because of his 'aggressive' detention of a 15-year-old boy is appealing against the disciplinary ruling against him, his former force has confirmed. Lorne Castle was dismissed by Dorset Police after an independent disciplinary tribunal found that he had committed gross misconduct in relation to the arrest of the youth in Bournemouth town centre on January 27 2024. The ex-police constable had admitted misconduct in relation to breaching the standards of professional behaviour relating to authority, respect and courtesy, conduct and use of force but denied gross misconduct. A Dorset Police spokesman confirmed that the force had been notified by Mr Castle of his intention to appeal. He said: 'We can confirm we have received notification of Lorne Castle's intention to appeal. 'As the formal appeal process is under way, we are unable to comment further.' Following the disciplinary hearing in May, the force said that Mr Castle had acted 'inappropriately' as he detained the teenager after receiving reports of two assaults in the seaside town. The force said in a statement: 'Pc Castle was seen to use unnecessary and inappropriate words towards the boy and place both his hands on his throat. 'The panel found that Pc Castle failed to act with self-control, did not treat the boy with courtesy or respect. 'His shouting, swearing, finger pointing, taking hold of the boy's face and throat and suggested use of leg restraints was not necessary, reasonable or proportionate.' A video clip of the incident, released by the force, shows the officer tackling the boy to the ground before taking hold of the teenager's face and throat while repeatedly swearing and shouting at him. The boy can be heard shouting and crying 'what have I done' and 'what did I do' before the officer shouts 'stop screaming like a little b****, do you understand that? Shut up'. The teenager also screams 'my f****** neck, get off me, I don't want you on me', while Mr Castle is on top of him. The officer later shouts 'stop resisting or I'm gonna smash you, do you understand?' and says the boy is being arrested on suspicion of assault. Speaking on LBC radio, Mr Castle, a 46-year-old father-of-three said that he had received thousands of messages of support. But he said that he felt that people were questioning his nature despite previously having '10 years of exemplary service' and having previously received a bravery award from the Humane Society.
The Independent
20 hours ago
- The Independent
Ex-Pc sacked for ‘aggressive' arrest is appealing against dismissal, force says
An ex-police officer who was sacked because of his 'aggressive' detention of a 15-year-old boy is appealing against the disciplinary ruling against him, his former force has confirmed. Lorne Castle was dismissed by Dorset Police after an independent disciplinary tribunal found that he had committed gross misconduct in relation to the arrest of the youth in Bournemouth town centre on January 27 2024. The ex-police constable had admitted misconduct in relation to breaching the standards of professional behaviour relating to authority, respect and courtesy, conduct and use of force but denied gross misconduct. A Dorset Police spokesman confirmed that the force had been notified by Mr Castle of his intention to appeal. He said: 'We can confirm we have received notification of Lorne Castle's intention to appeal. 'As the formal appeal process is under way, we are unable to comment further.' Following the disciplinary hearing in May, the force said that Mr Castle had acted 'inappropriately' as he detained the teenager after receiving reports of two assaults in the seaside town. The force said in a statement: 'Pc Castle was seen to use unnecessary and inappropriate words towards the boy and place both his hands on his throat. 'The panel found that Pc Castle failed to act with self-control, did not treat the boy with courtesy or respect. 'His shouting, swearing, finger pointing, taking hold of the boy's face and throat and suggested use of leg restraints was not necessary, reasonable or proportionate.' A video clip of the incident, released by the force, shows the officer tackling the boy to the ground before taking hold of the teenager's face and throat while repeatedly swearing and shouting at him. The boy can be heard shouting and crying 'what have I done' and 'what did I do' before the officer shouts 'stop screaming like a little b****, do you understand that? Shut up'. The teenager also screams 'my f****** neck, get off me, I don't want you on me', while Mr Castle is on top of him. The officer later shouts 'stop resisting or I'm gonna smash you, do you understand?' and says the boy is being arrested on suspicion of assault. Speaking on LBC radio, Mr Castle, a 46-year-old father-of-three said that he had received thousands of messages of support. But he said that he felt that people were questioning his nature despite previously having '10 years of exemplary service' and having previously received a bravery award from the Humane Society.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Wayne Co. prosecutor: Ex-Highland Park police officer pleads no contest in 2020 assault
A former police officer in Highland Park and Warren pleaded no contest in an assault case in Wayne County, two days after being sentenced in a separate assault case in Macomb County, with both incidents happening when he was working as a police officer. Dammeon Player pleaded no contest on Wednesday, June 18, to one count each of misconduct in office and felonious assault in Wayne County Circuit Court, according to the county prosecutor's office. It indicated Player was accused in connection with a Tasing incident in 2020, when he was a Highland Park police officer. The May 14, 2020, assault involved a 36-year-old Highland Park man, according to the prosecutor's office. Player is to be sentenced July 23. Messages were left for his attorney, who could not be immediately reached for comment. On Monday, June 16, Player was sentenced to two years of probation, with the first 45 days to be served in the Macomb County Jail, in a separate case in July 2023, when he worked as a Warren police officer. He is to report to the jail by 7 p.m. June 20 and received credit for one day served when sentenced in Macomb County Circuit Court. In the Macomb County case, Player was accused of using unnecessary force while arresting a semitruck driver during a traffic stop in Center Line, which was outside of his jurisdiction. He pleaded no contest in May to two felony offenses in Macomb's circuit court. More: New approach to domestic violence in Warren to help victims, hold suspects accountable Player joined the Warren police in 2021, according to a prior news release from the department. Player, who was charged with assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder, common law offenses and assault with a dangerous weapon (felonious assault) in the Wayne County case, was to have a pretrial June 23. It was reset by the court to June 18, according to online Wayne County Circuit Court records. They indicate Player pleaded no contest to common law offenses and assault with a dangerous weapon (felonious assault) while the charge of assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder was dismissed. Contact Christina Hall: chall@ Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @challreporter. Support local journalism. Subscribe to the Free Press. Submit a letter to the editor at This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Ex-Highland Park police officer pleads no contest in 2020 assault
