Suffolk police officer keeps job after Taser strike incident

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 9 Oct, 07:19 · Archive

A Suffolk police officer who struck a man in the head with a Taser has been allowed to remain in the force.

PC Samuel Robinson was handed a final written warning lasting five years following a disciplinary hearing at Landmark House in Ipswich. The panel concluded that his actions amounted to gross misconduct and, while his conduct was serious enough to justify dismissal, he should remain in the force.

The hearing concerned an incident at a storage facility in Lowestoft on 1 June 2021. During an arrest, Mr A suffered a 2cm head laceration after being struck during the incident. The injury required gluing but left no long-term physical effects, although Mr A later reported psychological symptoms including fear when hearing police sirens.

The panel found PC Robinson breached professional standards through three 'hammer strikes' to Mr A's head while holding his Taser and for shouting profanities. However, it did not find misconduct in relation to his Taser use, a fourth hammer strike or a kick delivered during the incident. Counsel for the Appropriate Authority argued that dismissal was the only suitable outcome, stating the injuries were 'easily foreseeable' and that the officer had been 'extraordinarily lucky' the consequences were not more serious.

How it is being reported

• Officer who carried out 'hammer strikes' on man allowed to stay in forceA Suffolk police officer who struck a man in the head with a Taser during an incident in Lowestoft can keep his job.Ipswich Star · 9 Oct, 06:00
• Officer who carried out 'hammer strikes' on man allowed to stay in forceA Suffolk police officer who struck a man in the head with a Taser during an incident in Lowestoft can keep his job.East Anglian Daily Times · 9 Oct, 06:00

In this story: PC Samuel Robinson · Suffolk Police · Lowestoft · Ipswich

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