Two serving Metropolitan Police officers and a former officer will face a gross misconduct hearing after an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) into a disturbing incident involving a 90-year-old Black woman with dementia who was allegedly mistreated during a police response in Peckham, south London.

The incident occurred on 9 May 2023, when a police constable responded to a report of a disturbance made by the woman’s carer. The officer found the elderly woman holding kitchen utensils and, after failing to comply with commands to drop them, she was “red-dotted” with a Taser — a laser-targeting action that signals intent to fire — although the device was not discharged.

Elderly Woman Handcuffed, Placed in Spit Hood

Additional officers attended the scene, where the woman was handcuffed to the front and later had a spit hood placed over her head after she spat towards officers. She was transported to hospital, where the restraints and hood were removed.

The IOPC launched an investigation following a voluntary conduct referral from the Metropolitan Police and a formal complaint from the woman’s family. The family alleged the woman was discriminated against on the basis of her age, race, sex, and disability, and that excessive force was used.

Officers to Face Disciplinary Hearing

Following the investigation, the IOPC found that one serving officer should face allegations of gross misconduct for:

• Improper use of the Taser
• Failure to account for the woman’s age and disability
• Inappropriate communication during the incident

The same officer will also face separate gross misconduct allegations for a different Taser-related incident on 10 May 2023, investigated independently.

Two other officers — one currently serving and one who has since left the force — will face misconduct proceedings over:

• The prolonged use of handcuffs and spit hood
• Failure to consider the woman’s vulnerability
• Allegedly making inaccurate statements about the incident

IOPC Statement

Amanda Rowe, Regional Director at the IOPC, said:

“This was a concerning incident, particularly given the woman’s vulnerabilities. It was important that we investigated the full circumstances surrounding this incident to determine exactly what occurred.”

“As a result, we have decided that three officers who attended the incident should face a police disciplinary hearing which will ultimately determine whether the gross misconduct allegations are proven.”

The IOPC confirmed that no evidence was found to support the complaint that officers had discriminated based on race or sex.

All parties have been informed of the decision, and it is now the responsibility of the Metropolitan Police to organise the disciplinary proceedings.