Sussex Police officer acquitted of biting colleague during training

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 29 Oct, 16:35 · Archive

A Sussex Police officer has been found not guilty of biting a colleague during a training exercise.

PC Christian Field, 50, based on Brighton division, was acquitted of biting a colleague during a training exercise at Reading Magistrates' Court on Thursday following a two-day trial. The incident occurred on 2 December 2025 during a scenario-based training session in which Field played the role of a subject resisting arrest. A female colleague was tasked with safely restraining him, and Field was alleged to have bitten the victim on her forearm, causing bruising.

The incident was reported to Sussex Police's Professional Standards Department, which launched an internal investigation. Evidence gathered, including statements from witnesses who had participated in the training, was submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service. The CPS authorised a charge of battery against Field, who was placed on restricted duties during the investigation.

Detective Chief Superintendent Miles Ockwell, Head of Sussex Police's Professional Standards Department, said: 'Anyone who reports an incident to Sussex Police should have confidence we will investigate impartially, proportionately and in line with the law. This applies as much to our own officers as it does to any other member of the public.'

How it is being reported

• Police officer acquitted of biting colleagueA Sussex Police officer has been acquitted of biting a colleague during a training exercise.The Argus · 29 Oct, 15:29
• Sussex Police officer accused of biting colleague found not guiltyA Sussex Police officer accused of biting a colleague during staff safety training has been acquitted at court.Chichester Observer · 29 Oct, 14:07

In this story: PC Christian Field · Sussex Police · Brighton · Reading Magistrates' Court · Crown Prosecution Service

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log