PC who used Taser to deliver 'hammer blows' keeps job

A Suffolk Police officer who struck a man reportedly armed with a metal pole with the butt of his Taser - described as "improvised hammer blows" - has been allowed to keep his job.

PC Samuel Robinson had been called to reports of a domestic dispute in Lowestoft in June 2021 before the man punched an officer and resisted arrest.

After a struggle, the man ended up on the ground before Robinson struck the suspect on the head with the butt of his Taser three times and kicked him, it was reported.

Following an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), a police disciplinary panel ruled he had committed gross misconduct and gave him a five-year final written warning.

Emily Barry, IOPC director of engagement, said it was "vital" that the powers police officers are entrusted with are used "lawfully, proportionately and with restraint".

"Any use of force must always be necessary, reasonable and proportionate in the circumstances," she said.

According to the IOPC, Robinson arrived at the scene after two colleagues had been called following reports of a dispute.

The suspect had reportedly taken property from a storage unit and threatened two people with a metal pole.

As they all attempted to detain the man, Robinson unsuccessfully deployed his Taser, and one of the other officers used PAVA spray, similar to a pepper spray, as the man resisted arrest.

It was then that Robinson used what the panel described as being "unnecessary, unreasonable and disproportionate force".

Officers gave the man first aid at the scene for a cut to his head before he received treatment in hospital.

Following the incident in June 2021, the police referred the matter to the IOPC, which concluded its investigation in April 2022 before sending the matter back to the police.

Robinson was subsequently charged with actual bodily harm before he was acquitted after a five-day trial at Southwark Crown Court, which concluded on 20 December 2024.

The IOPC panel found his use of the Taser was contrary to force training and guidance, and Robinson had also used offensive language to the man while restraining him.

"The panel found that PC Robinson's force was unnecessary and disproportionate, and his actions clearly fell far below the standards expected of police officers," Barry said.

Suffolk Police said it would not comment on the specifics of the case until the "full written determination and further detail from the panel" had been published.

It did, however, add: "The use of force by police officers is governed by law and national policing guidance.

"Suffolk officers have hundreds of interactions with the public every day, and, in the vast majority of these encounters, force is not required.

"However, officers are often faced with challenging and dynamic situations and are trained to use force only when it is necessary, lawful, proportionate and reasonable in the circumstances, in order to protect the public, themselves and others from harm."

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