Police officer convicted of assaulting woman in Halesowen
PC Calum Brand has been found guilty of assaulting a woman during the arrest of her partner
A West Midlands Police officer has been found guilty of assaulting a woman during the arrest of her partner at a block of flats in Halesowen.
PC Calum Brand pulled the woman’s hair and elbowed her in the face when she tried to interrupt officers who were escorting the handcuffed man down a stairwell.
PC Brand had denied one count of assault by beating but at Nottingham Magistrates Court yesterday (15 July) he was found guilty following an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
The 27-year-old was one of four officers who attended a domestic disturbance at the flats on 16 June last year.
Police body worn video shows the woman approach PC Brand from behind before he grabbed her hair, pinned her down by the neck, and elbowed her to the side of the head.
She suffered facial injuries but was not seriously hurt.
In interview, PC Brand said the woman hit his back and, fearing she may have a weapon, used what he believed was appropriate, proportionate force.
He arrested her on suspicion of assaulting a police officer, but she was later released without charge.
IOPC Director of Engagement Derrick Campbell, said: “This was a challenging situation for the officers.
"The man was clearly drunk, largely incoherent, and there was a struggle in the stairwell.
“The woman tried to intervene, and PC Brand’s response was disproportionate and unnecessary.
"There was no justification for the level of force he used and no attempt to de-escalate the situation.
"The woman did not pose a genuine threat to PC Brand and, to that point, had not shown any aggression towards the officers.
“The woman suffered facial injuries at the hands of an officer who should have been there to help protect and safeguard her.
“Our investigation also concluded that PC Brand had a case to answer for gross misconduct.
"Now that criminal matters have concluded, it will be for West Midlands Police to hold a misconduct hearing at the earliest opportunity.”
PC Brand is scheduled to be sentenced on 7 September.