Officer cleared of using excessive force in fare evasion arrest
A misconduct hearing has found a Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) officer did not use excessive force when he arrested a woman during a fare evasion operation in Croydon in July 2023, but that his use of language did breach the standards of professional behaviour.
PC Perry Lathwood, who is attached to the Roads and Transport Policing Command, faced a three-day hearing over allegations that he breached the police standards of professional behaviour regarding the force he used – including applying handcuffs, how he dealt with the woman and the language and tone used, and that he acted in a sexist way towards her.
PC Lathwood was cleared of any criminal wrongdoing in relation to his use of force following an appeal at Southwark Crown Court in September 2024. The MPS urged the IOPC to consider whether a misconduct hearing was necessary following the decision – it determined it was.
At the conclusion of a misconduct hearing that began on Monday (October 13), PC Lathwood was found to have breached the standard relating to authority, respect and courtesy for calling the woman a “daft cow” during the incident.
He was cleared of further allegations that he breached standards relating to equality and diversity, use of force, and discreditable conduct.
He was given a written warning.
IOPC Director Amanda Rowe said: “Police officers must treat members of the public with respect and courtesy during the course of their duties.
“This was a distressing incident for the woman, who was handcuffed in public in front of her child, and the language used by PC Lathwood was disrespectful and unprofessional.
“This was a high-profile incident which caused significant public concern at the time, particularly in the Croydon community, and we know this interaction continues to have a lasting impact on the woman involved.”
The IOPC investigation began following the MPS’s referral of a complaint made on behalf of the woman.
On July 21, 2023, PC Lathwood was on duty supporting Transport for London revenue protection inspectors during a pre-planned operation at a bus stop in Whitehorse Road, Croydon.
A woman who had been travelling on a bus was asked to show a valid ticket for her journey but did not do so and attempted to walk away. PC Lathwood detained her, taking hold of her arm and using handcuffs as he arrested her on suspicion of fare evasion. The woman was later de-arrested after agreeing to prove she had a valid ticket.
As PC Lathwood went to remove the woman’s handcuffs, she pulled away towards the road behind her. PC Lathwood tried to keep her away from the road but could be heard referring to her as a “daft cow” as he did so.
The IOPC referred a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service, which authorised a charge of assault by beating against PC Lathwood.
In June 2024, PC Lathwood was convicted of assault by beating, however this conviction was overturned last year following an appeal.
Delivering the panel’s ruling following the hearing, panel chair Commander Jason Prins said: “The panel finds PC Lathwood had reasonable grounds to suspect fare evasion and was lawfully entitled to detain Ms Agyemang to prevent her leaving and for the suspected offence to be investigated. This in reality meant having her ticket scanned, which would have taken a few seconds.
“The panel finds handcuffing was necessary to prevent harm to Ms Agyemang, PC Lathwood, and the public. This view is supported by BWV and witnesses’ accounts. Ms Agyemang’s tone was antagonistic and she did not engage with officers’ requests.
“The panel finds he used the minimum force necessary and finds the use of force was lawful, necessary, reasonable and proportionate.
“The panel found the term ‘daft cow’ to be unprofessional, insulting, and disrespectful. PC Lathwood did not provide a credible explanation for its use, nor did he acknowledge the potential impact of such language. It could reasonably be perceived as offensive and insulting and it demonstrated a lack of respect and courtesy.”
Commander Nick John said: “PC Lathwood’s actions divided opinions, with video of the incident prompting a significant reaction from the public, particularly in Croydon. We have acknowledged previously that the incident wasn’t handled perfectly and that there was important learning to take from it.
“We disagreed with the IOPC’s determination that his actions could amount to gross misconduct, meaning they were so serious they could result in dismissal if proven. It was our view that his use of force was lawful but that his language was a breach of the standards of professional behaviour at the level of misconduct only, meaning it should not result in dismissal.
“After considering all the evidence, the independent panel has reached the same conclusion.”
Paula Dodds, chair of the Metropolitan Police Federation, said: “Short video clips of incidents viewed from the comfort of sterile and calm environments rarely take into account what police officers in London encounter on a daily basis – or provide a genuine understanding of the true nature of our difficult and dangerous job.
“Police officers have no issue with scrutiny and accounting for their actions and use of force – but this has to take into account the dynamic and split-second challenges and the reality of our challenging role.
“PC Lathwood can finally put this incident behind him and carry on his career. We ask that he and his family are now left alone to get on with their lives.
“We thank PC Lathwood’s legal team and his Police Federation representative for their hard work over what has been a long and arduous process.”
PC Lathwood was on restricted duties pending the outcome of this hearing. The MPS said “his status will now be reviewed”.