Met Police officer sacked for punching 15-year-old Black boy handcuffed on floor

“PC Steven Martin has now paid a high price for his actions by losing his job and will be placed on a barred list preventing him from future employment within the police service,” the IOPC said.

Investigators ruled that PC Martin breached professional standards for use of force; authority, respect and courtesy; and discreditable conduct. (PA Archive)

A Metropolitan Police Service officer has been dismissed without notice for gross misconduct after punching a 15-year-old Black boy while he was handcuffed on the floor.

An investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) found PC Steven Martin used unnecessary force against the child, who had been arrested on 28 February last year.

Following a hearing which concluded on Thursday, a disciplinary panel also found that the officer used abusive language towards the victim.

The IOPC sent a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service, which charged PC Martin with common assault. He pleaded guilty at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 11 January, was sentenced to a curfew order for 14 weeks and ordered to pay costs and a victim surcharge.

The teenager was arrested after officers responded to a report of an attempted robbery in Waltham Forest, east London, with two other male teenagers. Though they were subsequently charged, the case was discontinued.

IOPC investigators ruled that PC Martin breached professional standards for use of force; authority, respect and courtesy; and discreditable conduct.

The constable also lied, it was established, through his failure to mention in his initial account of the incident that he had struck the boy and then, when it was viewed on his body-worn video, explaining the strike as an accident.

IOPC Regional Director Sal Naseem said: “Police officers may only use force when it is necessary, proportionate and reasonable in the circumstances. Following our independent investigation, we found a case to answer on the basis that the force used appeared to exceed what was required in the circumstances as the boy had given himself up and was not resisting.

“PC Martin has now paid a high price for his actions by losing his job and will be placed on a barred list preventing him from future employment within the police service.”