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A Metropolitan Police officer has been dismissed and convicted of assault after he used PAVA spray and delivered multiple baton strikes to a restrained man during an incident in a hospital.
PC Rhys Walmer was found guilty at Snaresbrook Crown Court of assault and administering a noxious substance with intent to injure after an incident in which he sprayed PAVA — a synthetic pepper spray — into a man’s face and then struck him 14 times with a baton while he was handcuffed, limb-restrained, and wearing a spit guard.
Incident Raised by Hospital Staff
The man was awaiting assessment in hospital when officers were called to assist. Despite already being restrained, PC Walmer used PAVA spray after the man appeared to resist officers. He then struck the man repeatedly in the arms and legs with his baton.
Concerned hospital staff raised the alarm with a supervising police officer over the level of violence used.
Following a criminal investigation, PC Walmer was charged and later convicted at court. In June 2025, he was dismissed without notice following an internal disciplinary process.
Met Rejects Officer’s Claim of Poor Training
PC Walmer claimed in his defence that he had not received sufficient training to manage the situation — a claim that the Met Police rejected.
Chief Superintendent Stuart Bell, who leads policing in the East Area Basic Command Unit, said:
“The level of force used by PC Walmer was not proportionate or necessary and his actions have been subject to proper scrutiny and accountability through the legal process.
I would like to thank the hospital staff for quite rightly raising their concerns with the officer’s supervisor.
All officers must be held to account for their actions, especially regarding use of force. Those found to be using excessive force, like PC Walmer, will be brought to justice.”
