Officer dismissed over use of force on teenage girl

A two-day misconduct hearing held at Nottinghamshire Police’s headquarters concluded that PC Kevin Markowski, 47, had breached policing standards of professional behaviour including the use of force and discreditable conduct.

It came after a four-month investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) following a referral by Nottinghamshire Police.

IOPC Director Derrick Campbell said: “While there are many occasions when force is required, police officers are entrusted to use it only if it is necessary, reasonable and proportionate in the circumstances.

“The evidence we gathered raised serious concerns about the actions of PC Markowski and the panel clearly took the view that the officer, whose role involves ensuring the welfare of detainees, went beyond what was necessary to ensure control of the child.

“In our view the officer did not allow the girl opportunity to give her side of the story and made a swift decision to detain her which escalated the situation. His actions were not in line with police officer safety training. The level of force used did not appear proportionate to the risk posed by the girl or to the severity of the potential offence.”

The hearing heard how the officer and his colleague attended an incident in Arnold just before 8pm on August 24, 2022, in which the teenage girl was shouting and swearing in the street and allegedly threatened to “bang someone out”.

The officer approached the girl and asked her to stop shouting and swearing before grabbing hold of her arm and leading her towards the police car.

It was then alleged that the officer banged her head on the police vehicle causing injury and put his hands on her throat area on two occasions when restraining her in the back of the police vehicle.

The hearing heard that the force used was “unnecessary and disproportionate.”

A member of the public who witnessed the incident also made a complaint about the officer’s actions.

The girl was then driven to her mother’s address and later de-arrested for breach of the peace.

PC Markowski was also described as “disrespectful and discourteous” when he refused to provide a concerned member of the public with his collar number.

Throughout the hearing, the officer said that the force he used throughout was necessary, reasonable and proportionate.

He said that his hands were on the top of her chest and not her throat area and that he did not believe he was restricting her breathing.

The misconduct panel, chaired by T/Deputy Chief Constable Rob Griffin, dismissed PC Markowski’s assertions and found he had breached the standards of professional behaviour in respect of duties and responsibilities, authority, respect and courtesy, use of force and discreditable conduct.

He was dismissed from the force without notice and placed on the police barred list.

Following the hearing, Mr Griffin said: “We acknowledge that this was a distressing incident for the girl involved and recognise the ongoing impact it has had on both her and her family.

“We would like to apologise for the trauma caused and hope this outcome has reassured them of the seriousness in which we treat misconduct.

“In this case the panel found that PC Markowski’s actions were unnecessary and disproportionate and that his dismissal is necessary for maintaining public trust and confidence in policing.

“As demonstrated by this case, Nottinghamshire Police is committed to holding its officers to account on behalf of the public and should any officer or staff member misconduct themselves, they will be held to account.

“The vast majority of our employees maintain the highest possible professional standards which makes it all the more important we address instances where an individual’s behaviour has fallen short of these expectations.”