Police officers face gross misconduct hearing after Taser aimed at 90-year-old woman
Two serving Metropolitan Police officers and one former officer are set to face a gross misconduct hearing after a 90-year-old woman with dementia was targeted with a Taser, the police watchdog said.
The incident occurred after a carer at an address in Peckham, south London, called the police in May 2023 to report a disturbance.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said an officer arrived at the scene to find a black woman, aged 90, holding utensils.
After she did not comply with the officer's instructions to drop the objects, she was "red-dotted" with a Taser - which means the device was aimed and partially activated so a laser dot appears on the target. It was not discharged.
More officers then arrived and restrained the woman with handcuffs. A spit hood was placed over her head after she spat at the officers, the IOPC said.
The woman was not arrested. She was taken to hospital, where both items were removed.
The IOPC launched an investigation in June 2023 after a voluntary referral from the Met and a complaint from the family over the use of force, along with a claim from them that she was discriminated against due to her age, race, sex and disability.
The police watchdog determined one officer should answer a gross misconduct case over their treatment of the woman.
Another serving officer and a former officer, who left the Met in August last year, will answer cases over the time she was restrained and a possible failure to take into account her age and disability.
The IOPC found no evidence the woman was discriminated against based on race or sex.
Both serving officers are currently on restricted duties, the Met confirmed.
Three others will undergo a reflective practice review process following their behaviour during the incident.
The Crown Prosecution Service decided in November 2023 that none of the officers should face criminal charges over the incident after receiving evidence from the IOPC.
IOPC director Amanda Rowe said: "This was a concerning incident particularly given the woman's vulnerabilities."
The Met Police will now organise the proceedings. A date has not been set.
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