Taser-wielding cops 'handcuffed dementia sufferer, 90,'

Taser-wielding cops who ‘handcuffed dementia sufferer, 90, and put spit hood over her head’ are warned they need to ‘justify any use of force’ – as watchdog launches probe

• The woman was restrained after officers were called to reports of a disturbance
• Do YOU know the elderly woman? Email [email protected]

Taser-wielding police officers who allegedly handcuffed a 90-year-old woman with dementia and placed a spit hood over her head have been warned they need to ‘justify any use of force’.

The police watchdog is currently investigating the incident after the elderly woman was restrained after officers were called to reports of a disturbance at an address in Peckham, south London, on May 9.

After initially trying to engage with her, she was restrained in handcuffs and had a spit hood applied after one of the officers claimed they were spat at. The frail woman, who was said to have been involved in a disturbance with her carer, was not arrested and was taken to hospital.

During the incident, an officer also issued a red-dot challenge with their Taser, but did not discharge it, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said.

One of the officers has been suspended and their use of Taser withdrawn after the incident was referred to the watchdog by the Met Police’s Directorate of Professional Standards (DPS).

One officer has been suspended while the other five are on restricted desk duties. Pictured: File photo of Metropolitan Police officers

The incident took place in Peckham, South London on May 9, where the elderly and frail woman was allegedly strapped down onto a stretcher before being carted off to hospital in a police van. Stock image

A further five officers have been placed on restricted duties, meaning they will have no contact with the public while the IOPC carries out its investigaton.

The woman’s family have been made aware of the incident and police are in contact to arrange for a relative to view body worn video of the incident. 

Detective Chief Superintendent Seb Adjei-Addoh, who is in charge of policing in Southwark, said: ‘There are limits to what I am able to say in relation to this incident given it is now subject to an IOPC investigation, however it is clear that this will have been a distressing experience for the lady involved and that the circumstances raise a number of questions that need to be answered.

‘While I do not wish to pre-judge this process, officers know that they must be able to justify any use of force or restraint and we will expect that of the officers involved in this incident. 

‘They also know that we expect them to show compassion and to adjust their approach in real time according to the circumstances they are faced with.

‘I am committed to transparency in relation to this incident. I am already in contact with our key partners and will keep them, and those directly involved, informed as our enquiries progress.’

A 90-year-old dementia sufferer was handcuffed with a spit hood placed over her head by Metropolitan police officers following a disturbance with her carer. Pictured: File photo of a man wearing a spit hood 

Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley (pictured May 5) has written to health and social care services to say police will no longer attend after August 31 unless there is a threat to life

Revelations of the incident come as the Met Police yesterday announced plans that will stop officers from attending mental health incidents.

The force’s commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has written to health and social care services to say police will no longer attend emergency calls related to mental health after August 31 unless there is a threat to life.

The plans have sparked alarm with critics warning that for those suffering there would be ‘no one left to call’.

Questions have also been raised about whether the plans will prove practical on the ground.

Former Inspector of Constabulary Zoe Billingham, who is also chairwoman of NHS mental health services in Norfolk and Suffolk, said that the change was ‘potentially alarming’.

‘I think it would be really, really dangerous if the police were just to unilaterally withdraw from attending mental health crisis calls right now,’ she told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.

A Met spokesperson said that the force needed to ‘redress the imbalance of responsibility’, noting the considerable amount of time taken up by such incidents.

Do YOU know the elderly woman? Email [email protected]

Source: Read Full Article