An MP has criticised the under-fire Gwent Police force for refusing to release footage of an off-duty officer hitting a member of the public in a bar. PC Simon Rohman was sacked last Friday after striking a man at Brewhouse in Cardiff city centre.
Chief constable Pam Kelly said she had "very carefully viewed" footage from CCTV and arresting officers' body-cameras before deciding that Rohman should be dismissed – but the force has said it will not be releasing the video. The decision was described as "troubling" by Newport West MP Ruth Jones.
The Labour MP told WalesOnline: "It was reassuring to hear over the weekend that as a result of an expedited process from Gwent Police that an officer has been expelled from the force for assaulting a member of the public. From reporting it is clear that the behaviour fell well below the standards we expect of members of our police force. What is troubling, however, is that the CCTV and bodycam footage of the incident – which were integral to the decision being made – were not made available during the hearing or afterwards. Nobody wants a media circus, but Gwent Police need to recognise that transparency is more important than ever while they seek to build back trust with the public."
