Police officer who used excessive force against football fan outside Walsall's stadium is sacked after allegation proved
A police officer has been dismissed after allegations of using excessive force in the arrest of a man at a Walsall football match were proven.
At the conclusion of a four-day misconduct hearing held at the headquarters of West Midlands Police, a panel of the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) chaired by an Assistant Chief Constable found PC Richard Mannox had breached policing standards of professional behaviour including use of force and discreditable conduct.
It related to an incident outside Walsall's Bescot stadium after a game against Barrow in March 2023.
Barrow fan Edward Papas was cleared of assaulting a club steward and PC Mannox after a trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court in January last year and an investigation into the case was launched by the IOPC.
Mr Papas claimed it was he who had been punched and threatened by officers rather than it being the other way around.
After the conclusion of the misconduct hearing, IOPC director Derrick Campbell said: “Police professional standards state that officers should act with self-control and tolerance, treating members of the public with respect and courtesy.
"In this instance the evidence we gathered showed how the officer used a confrontational approach from the outset when he engaged with the football fan, speaking aggressively before swearing and threatening the man.
"This then quickly escalated to PC Mannox pushing the man and hitting him across the face.
“The panel has agreed that this use of force was not reasonable, proportionate or necessary in the circumstances and PC Mannox has now been barred from policing.
"As part of our enquiries we analysed the available BWV and CCTV footage, interviewed the complainant and the officers involved and obtained statements from several witnesses.
“Footage from the incident was widely circulated and hopefully this outcome will help to show that officers will be held to account for excessive force.
"At the end our six-month investigation we found that PC Mannox had a case to answer for gross misconduct over his use of force and other alleged breaches of policing standards of professional behaviour."
