Title: Skegness Police Officer Issued Final Warning Over PAVA Spray Misuse
Content:
The Lincolnshire Police headquarters in Nettleham rendered a conclusion to a misconduct hearing which involved PC Hayley Smith, a Skegness-based officer. Smith was found to have used undue force when she deployed PAVA spray on a detainee from a range shorter than recommended. The incident in question took place on 13 July the previous year. The hearing panel deemed her actions ‘unnecessary’ and issued a final written warning, which will remain valid for a duration of two years.
Although the panel recognised Smith’s commendable character and commitment to her role in the police force, they could not overlook her disregard for safety guidelines, which posed a significant risk of causing severe harm. Assistant Chief Constable Nicola Mayo further pointed out that Smith’s misconduct, while momentary and unintentional, had the potential to weaken public trust in the police force.
PC Smith is given a period of ten days to contest the decision. This article is a revised version of a piece originally published on www.bbc.com, adapted by The Lincoln Post.
