Hull: PC dismissed for excessive use of force

A former Hull based PC has been dismissed without notice following the Panel of his Misconduct Hearing at the Old Magistrates’ Building in Goole finding his involvement in two incidents amounted to Gross Misconduct.  

Henry Green, 28, breached the standards of professional behaviour in respect of use of force when he attended a report of fraud involving two men and a woman at a supermarket on Newland Avenue in June 2019.

An internal investigation was launched by the Force’s Professional Standards Department (PSD) following the incident, however paused due to the criminal investigation that was also to be carried out.

Green was charged with two counts of Common Assault and was due to appear at York’s Magistrates’ Court in 2020. The court date was postponed on multiple occasions and was finally heard in December 2021 where Green was found not guilty of the offences.

The internal investigation recommenced following conclusion of court proceedings and resulted in a three-day Misconduct Hearing from Monday, 11 to Wednesday 13 July.

Green’s actions were found to have breached the standards of professional behaviour by using excessive force and amounted to Gross Misconduct. 

The Misconduct Panel, made up of a Legally Qualified Chair, Police Superintendent and Independent person, adjourned the outcome decision in respect of his employment with the force until yesterday (Monday, 25 July) where Green was dismissed with immediate effect.

Head of PSD, Detective Superintendent Matt Baldwin, said: “We expect all of our officers and staff to always act with the upmost integrity and professionalism, only using force if absolutely necessary in their line of duty.

“The Panel concluded Green had lost control and that there was no justification for his actions during this incident.

“Green attended with another officer to a report of three people attempting to commit an offence of fraud in a supermarket on Newland Avenue.

“Green handcuffed one of the men, who remained compliant despite not being formally arrested.  The other officer remained with the woman who was also handcuffed, whilst a second man fled from the store.

“The man and woman handcuffed were fully cooperative and made no threats towards anyone or attempts to escape.

“Despite their compliance and cooperation, Green took hold of the woman and used a leg sweep to take her to the floor, before he turned and punched the man in the face. He then threatened the man before making disrespectful and disparaging comments to them both.

“Green displayed an excessive use of force during this incident that was neither necessary nor justified. His actions and conduct that day were completely unacceptable and utterly discreditable, falling well below the standards we expect.

“As well as his dismissal he will now also be placed on the College of Policing’s Barred list, meaning he will not be able to work for any other police force in the UK.

“We will not accept any officer or member of staff behaving in a way that fails to uphold or maintain their responsibility to serve and protect the public in the Humberside area. It is of paramount importance that we maintain the public’s trust and confidence by removing from the force those who behave in a way that undermines this.”