Final warning for officer who tasered a member of the public nine times

A Met Police officer has been issued with a final written warning after tasering a member of the public nine times.

Following a misconduct hearing yesterday, PC Rodney Chiweshe, based at South Area BCU, was found to have used unreasonable force.

During an incident on June 4, 2019, PC Chiweshe used a taser on a man who was damaging property, running out into traffic and assaulting members of the public.

The misconduct hearing was held earlier this week, beginning on Monday and finishing yesterday, February 4.

It was proven that PC Chiweshe’s use of the taser had amounted to an unreasonable use of force to the extent that it was not necessary, proportionate or reasonable in all the circumstances.

The panel was made up of two members Ms Sadhana Patel and Superintendent Mark Long, and was chaired by Mr Julian Weinberg.

It was concluded that the officer’s actions had amounted to misconduct only and PC Chiweshe was handed a final written warning.

A spokeswoman from the Independent Office for Police Conduct said: “The officer breached police professional standards of behaviour by his excessive use of Taser.

“The Taser is an important tool for police in helping officers respond to often dangerous and challenging situations.

“It is important that officers are held accountable for their use of Taser where it is used inappropriately and that they and the police service learn any lessons to ensure they retain the confidence of the public.

“The MPS’s action in organising this misconduct hearing – following our independent investigation – and the subsequent decision of the panel, shows this behaviour will not be tolerated.”