Two serving Metropolitan police officers and one former officer will face a gross misconduct hearing after a 90-year-old woman with dementia was targeted with a Taser, the police watchdog said.
The woman was also handcuffed and put in a spit hood during the incident in Peckham, south London, in May 2023, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said.
One officer initially responded to a disturbance at an address in the area after a call from the woman’s carer. The officer found the woman holding kitchen utensils and she was “red-dotted”, or targeted, with the Taser when she refused to drop them. The Taser was not discharged.
More officers then attended and the woman was handcuffed, before the spit hood was applied after she spat at the officers, the IOPC said. She was not arrested and was taken to hospital, where both items were removed.
After an investigation by the watchdog, it was determined there was a gross misconduct case to answer for one officer over their treatment of the woman, including their use of force regarding the Taser and their communication towards her.
Another serving officer and a former officer, who left the force in August last year, will answer their own cases over the time the woman was kept in the handcuffs and spit hood and failing to take into account her age and disability.
The IOPC investigation was launched in June 2023 after a voluntary referral from the Met and a complaint from the family over use of force and alleged discrimination owing to her age, race, sex and disability.
The watchdog found no evidence the woman was discriminated against based on race or sex.
The Crown Prosecution Service decided in November 2023 that none of the officers should face criminal charges over the incident after receiving evidence from the IOPC.
It confirmed its decision would stand after a review in June last year. The IOPC investigation concluded in January.
Both serving officers are on restricted duties, the Met said. Three further officers will undergo a reflective practice review process after their behaviour during the incident.
Amanda Rowe, a director at the IOPC, said: “This was a concerning incident, particularly given the woman’s vulnerabilities. We have decided that three officers who attended the incident should face a police disciplinary hearing, which will ultimately determine whether the gross misconduct allegations are proven.”
No date has yet been set for the proceedings.
Det Ch Supt Emma Bond said: “While the misconduct hearing will carefully consider all the facts to determine whether the allegations are proven, I want to again acknowledge the distress caused to the woman involved and very real widespread concerns that followed.
“Officers know we expect them to show compassion and to adjust their approach according to the circumstances they are faced with. Over the coming days we will work closely with those communities most affected to ensure they feel heard and supported.
“We have provided every assistance to the IOPC throughout its investigation and will now arrange for the hearing to be held as soon as possible.”