GMP officers found guilty of misconduct in public office
Two Greater Manchester Police officers have been found guilty of misconduct in public office following an investigation into their treatment of two 18 year-old women while in custody.
Two Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officers have been found guilty of misconduct in public office following an investigation into their treatment of two 18 year-old women while in custody.
PC Jason Charles Hanvey and Sergeant Andrew Paul Kennedy were found guilty following a trial at Manchester Crown Court. Both officers will be sentenced on 8 April.
The court found PC Hanvey guilty for using unlawful force against one of the women, while Sgt Kennedy was found guilty for failing to prevent the use of unlawful force.
Two other officers Pc Kenneth John Wilson and Pc Kerry Louise Williams and Civilian Detention Officer Kristina Hawkins, were found not guilty of misconduct in public office.
The IPCC managed the GMP investigation into the incident, which involved two women who had been arrested following an incident in Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester.
The women were taken to Collyhurst Police Station to be detained.
The CCTV evidence showed one of the women being subjected to unlawful force and verbal abuse in the custody suite. The abuse included PC Hanvey threatening to rip (the girls) skull off.
IPCC Commissioner Ms Naseem Malik said: People who are arrested should expect to be treated in a professional manner by the police officers who deal with them.
But in this case this young woman was treated in an utterly shocking way. PC Hanvey acted like a bully and threatened and abused this girl. Sgt Kennedy failed to use his authority to stop the abuse. The actions were what you might expect from a street gang, not professional police officers.
There was no justification for the behaviour whatsoever. It was appalling and a total abuse of authority.
Ms Malik added: This verdict was the result of a thorough investigation by GMPs Professional Standards Department under our direction and control. I welcome the verdict of the court – it is a clear message that police officers are not above the law. I await confirmation of Greater Manchester Polices discipline proposals in relation to the findings of the investigation.