Gloucestershire Police officer given final written warning after gross misconduct finding
A hearing found Stg Thomas Coombs committed gross misconduct
A Gloucestershire police officer has been given a final written warning after a hearing found he committed gross misconduct.
A misconduct hearing at Gloucestershire Police headquarters this week found Stg Thomas Coombs used "unnecessary and disproportionate" level of force when dealing with a detainee that had been brought into the force's custody unit in January 2024.
He was given a final written warning which will stay on his record for three years.
Gloucestershire Police said Sgt Thomas Coombs pushed a man in the chest moments after he had been brought into their custody unit, causing him to fall to the floor and hit his head.
They added that he also swore at the detainee and was disrespectful to him throughout the duration of the incident, which included the man being restrained and searched in a cell.
The arrested man lodged a complaint and the two officers who had transported him to the custody unit also separately raised concerns with their line manager about Sgt Coombs’ conduct.
This led to an investigation being carried out by Gloucestershire Police's Professional Standards Department (PSD).
Police said the detainee was not seriously injured as a result of the incident and did not engage with investigators further.
The PSD continued to gather evidence and a hearing was held at Police Headquarters to determine whether Sgt Coombs’ actions amounted to gross misconduct.
Sgt Coombs claimed his use of force was necessary and proportionate as he feared the arrested man wasn’t being appropriately managed by officers and that he presented a threat of violence.
After considering all the evidence, the panel found Sgt Coombs had an honestly held and reasonable belief that the officers were at imminent risk, albeit that his belief was mistaken, and the level of force he’d used was both unnecessary and disproportionate.
The panel concluded Sgt Coombs had breached the standards of professional behaviour relating to discreditable conduct; use of force; and authority, respect and courtesy and as such, amounted to gross misconduct and subsequently gave him a final written warning which will stay on his record for three years.
Deputy Chief Constable Katy Barrow-Grint said: “Police officers can use force if it is necessary and proportionate to ensure their own and others’ safety.
“In this instance the level of Sgt Coombs’ response was found to be disproportionate.
“Regardless of the reasons why members of the public are arrested they should always be treated with dignity and respect and Sgt Coombs was found to have significantly breached these requirements, which is regrettable.”