Statement in response to announcement that two Met Police officers and a former officer will face a gross misconduct hearing after an elderly woman in Peckham was threatened with a Taser, handcuffed and put in a spit hood.
Cllr Natasha Ennin, Southwark Council's Cabinet Member for Community Safety & Neighbourhoods, said: This appalling incident should never have happened, and we welcome the IOPC findings.
“There are very serious and legitimate concerns about the police conduct in this case.
“The public rightly expect the highest standards of conduct from police officers who have additional powers to use force in our society.
“But these powers must be justified and proportionate.
“Using them against a vulnerable elderly woman in her nineties suffering from dementia is neither of these things.
“It is vital that the police grow public confidence, and this case further damages that work. Transparency and accountability are at the heart of improving trust in the Met Police locally.
“We are in communications with the Met about how best to provide reassurance to Southwark carers, patient groups and local voluntary and community sector groups who support our elderly.”
Also see: News statement from Independent Office for Police Conduct