Met Police officers who handcuffed and placed a spit hood over a 90-year-old woman are being criminally investigated.
The woman was reportedly left with cuts and bruises after being restrained by officers at her home in Peckham, on May 9. She also had a Taser pointed at her during the “distressing incident”.
Police pointed a Taser at a 90-year-old woman and put a spit hood on her head in Peckham
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating the incident and has revealed that the six officers are under criminal investigation for assault and false imprisonment.
In a statement released today (Wednesday, July 26) the IOPC said: “As part of our investigation, six MPS officers were recently advised that they are under investigation for potential breaches of the standards of professional behaviour at the level of gross misconduct.
“They are also under criminal investigation for assault and false imprisonment, which relates to the alleged unlawful or reckless detention of the woman over a period of time.”
IOPC Director Steve Noonan said the police watchdog was “concerned by some of the actions and decision-making of police officers”.
Officers were first called to the woman’s address following reports of a disturbance between a woman and her carer.
“Body worn footage shows that the woman was distressed and confused. Officers approached the woman who spat in the direction of some officers,” the IOPC said in its statement.
According to the police watchdog, she was physically detained, placed in handcuffs and then the spit hood was applied. She was not arrested.
The woman was then taken to King’s College Hospital where her handcuffs were removed.
Soon after, Camberwell and Peckham MP Harriet Harman said the incident was “worrying” and called for police to stop using Tasers in interactions with the elderly.
Southwark Police Commander Seb Adjei-Addoh said there were “questions that need to be answered” and that the ordeal would have been “a distressing experience for the lady”.
On top of the criminal investigation, the IOPC is investigating whether excessive and unreasonable force was used.
It is also investigating an allegation that officers discriminated against the woman, who is black, due to her race, gender, age and disability.