A POLICE officer has received a final written warning after putting his hands around the neck of a member of the public and shouting abusive language at him.

Pc Grant Snow was found to have breached Essex Police’s standards of professional behaviour relating to use of force, authority, respect and courtesy and discreditable conduct by a panel chaired by independent legally qualified chair, James Tumbridge yesterday. 

The hearing, which opened on May 15, heard that PC Snow and a colleague were called to The Foyer in St Michael’s Road, Braintree, just before midnight on May 1, 2016.

When the pair arrived a staff member was attempting to persuade a 21-year-old man, who was not a resident at the home, to leave.

The panel heard from witnesses and were shown CCTV footage that partially captured an altercation involving the man and PC Snow, in the early hours of 2 May.

Witnesses described PC Snow becoming entangled with the man and the pair ended up on the floor, at which point PC Snow placed his hands on the man’s neck.

He was also heard to use abusive and inflammatory language towards the man.

Shortly afterwards, during further altercations with the young man, which resulted in his arrest, witnesses said PC Snow again placed his hands around the man’s neck.

The panel rejected PC Snow’s claim the language that he used was merely in response to abuse he received from the man and that he had been repeating back what the young man had said to him.

Colin Dewar, commissioner delegate, said: “I am pleased Essex Police and the misconduct hearing panel have agreed with the conclusions reached by our investigation.

“It is incumbent upon officers to only use force that is necessary, reasonable and proportionate in the course of their duties. It is also necessary that they show due restraint and treat members of the public with courtesy and respect.”

Assistant Chief Constable Andy Prophet, the Chief Officer on the misconduct panel said: “I see police officers and police staff across Essex displaying professionalism, bravery and restraint in dealing with extremely challenging and often dangerous situations every single day.

“However on this occasion, despite some provocation, the officer’s actions fell below the very high standards the public and the force expect. Breaches in the standards of professional behaviour are rare, but when they do occur, it is right that they are fully investigated.

“The force will continue to hold those to account who let the public, their colleagues and themselves down.”