Met police officer sentenced for punching and kicking man he was arresting

A Met police officer who assaulted a man while on duty has been sentenced after pleading guilty to actual bodily harm charges.

Former PC Thomas Karlsen, who was attached to the South West Command Unit, appeared at Southwark Crown Court today, where he was sentenced to four months’ imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, 20 days’ rehabilitation activity requirement and 80 hours of unpaid work. He must pay £400 compensation to the victim.

In November 2022, Karlsen attended an address in New Malden following reports by the occupants of a domestic dispute involving a relative who was staying at the property.

Body worn cam footage of the assault (Video: The Met)

On arrival at the scene, Karlsen attempted to detain a man and, while doing so, he punched and kicked him, as well as using PAVA spray at close proximity.

Karlsen arrested the man on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker and resisting arrest.

The man was taken to hospital with swelling to the face and a split lip, and was later taken into police custody. Following a review of body worn video, he was released with no further action.

The matter was referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, which requested a local investigation. Karlsen was interviewed under caution and charged. He was also suspended from duty.

A second male PC, who was with Karlsen at the time of the incident, will face a misconduct meeting in due course. He is not subject to any restrictions.

A misconduct hearing concluded that had Karlsen – who resigned from the organisation in July – still been serving, he would have been dismissed without notice.

Detective Chief Superintendent Clair Kelland, in charge of South West Command Unit, said: “Former PC Karlsen’s actions that day were shocking, and completely disproportionate to the situation he faced.

“I would like to take this opportunity to apologise to the victim. It is clear from the body worn video that this would have been a very traumatic experience which will have had a long-lasting impact. Officers from our Directorate of Professional Standards continue to offer him every support.

“We have been explicit about the high standards we expect from officers, and know that we must maintain these in order to increase the trust that our communities have in us.

“The powers afforded to us must be used fairly and professionally, and it is clear that this was absolutely not the case on this occasion.”

Pictured top: Body worn camera footage shows the moment of the assault (Picture: The Met)