A police officer who Tasered a vulnerable man six times has been sacked after a disciplinary panel ruled his actions were excessive and gratuitous.
PC Phillip Smith was part of a group of officers responding to reports of concern for the welfare of a suicidal man at his home in Dukinfield, near Manchester, in June 2018.
Smith used his Taser on the man twice in his bedroom, twice in his hall and porch and twice in his front garden. The man was already handcuffed for the final four uses of the Taser.
Smith pleaded guilty at Preston crown court to common assault in September 2021 and was given an 18-month conditional charge and ordered to pay his victim £250.
After a three-day hearing this week at the headquarters of Greater Manchester police (GMP), a panel ruled that the first two discharges were appropriate but the next four were fired in temper. It said Smith’s actions amounted to gross misconduct and ordered his dismissal.
Charles Apthorp, representing GMP, said Smith’s behaviour amounted to a “breach of professional standards and was a discredit to the police service”. He added: “The officer failed to act with self-control and tolerance towards a vulnerable member of the public and failed to use his powers and authority lawfully. Police officers need to show self-control and act in a respectful manner towards colleagues and members of the public.”
The victim had committed no criminal offence and there was no reason to think he would, he said.
Paul Forster, the chair of the panel, said the Taser discharges outside the bedroom were “excessive force” and “gratuitous”. “Once outside the bedroom, the victim did not pose a risk,” he said. “PC Smith failed to give a warning and there was no justification for discharging his Taser. PC Smith lost his temper – it was a gratuitous act to cause pain with no justification. PC Smith lost self-control and failed to show the victim respect.”
As well as being dismissed, Smith has been added to the College of Policing barred list.
DCS Michael Allen, the head of GMP’s professional standards branch, said the evidence captured on body cameras was compelling. The victim was a member of the public experiencing mental health difficulties, he said.
“Policing is a privilege where we are entrusted to safeguard members of the public and discharge our duties with kindness and compassion, but Smith’s unlawful and excessive use of force against a vulnerable man was the polar opposite of that and secures himself a lifetime ban from policing.”
