North Wales police officer cleared of gross misconduct allegations
North Wales Police officer Richard Williams was cleared after a misconduct hearing following his arrest of a man in Porthmadog.
A North Wales Police officer has been cleared of eight allegations of gross misconduct following the arrest of a man in Porthmadog.
A misconduct panel found that none of the allegations against PC Richard Williams were proven.
The officer was accused of using unnecessary, disproportionate and unreasonable force during the arrest in May 2023.
Video of the arrest was shared widely on social media.
The allegations included breaches of professional standards relating to use of force, authority, respect and courtesy, and discreditable conduct.
The complaint was referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, which later charged PC Williams with assault and intentional strangulation following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service.
He was found not guilty following a seven-day trial at Caernarfon Crown Court in 2025.
The IOPC then directed North Wales Police to hold a misconduct hearing, where he faced eight allegations of gross misconduct.
Deputy Chief Constable Nigel Harrison said: “Having now been cleared by a misconduct panel which reviewed all the evidence and also a Crown Court trial where he was found not guilty, this matter is now at an end.
“I look forward to PC Williams returning to full duties.”