PC guilty of common assault
A Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) officer has been found guilty of common assault.
A Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) officer has been found guilty of common assault.
PC James Kiddie 44, will be sentenced on March 11following a three-day trial at Westminster Magistrates court.
On Monday, November 26 2012, PC Kiddie was called to a shop in Regent Street after reports that a shoplifter had been detained.
Having searched the womans bag a scuffle ensued as he tried to arrest her. The woman was subsequently charged with shoplifting.
During preparation of the evidence officers viewing CCTV of the arrest were concerned at the level of force used by PC Kiddie to arrest the woman. They reported the matter to the directorate of professional standards (DPS).
Commander Alison Newcomb, Borough Commander for Westminster, said: PC James Kiddie has dealt a severe blow to the reputation of the Metropolitan Police.
The court found his actions were totally unjustified. Police officers are not above the law and will be held to account irrespective of the circumstances.
I commend the actions of the officers in bringing this matter to the attention of our DPS.
There is no place in the Metropolitan Police Service for this kind of behaviour.”