West London Met Police officer who ‘punched suspect in the face’ and used tear gas keeps job

A Met Police officer who “punched a suspect in the face” and used tear gas spray has been given a written warning - and kept his job

PC Philip Rosa - a constable in Kensington and Chelsea, Westminster, and Hammersmith and Fulham - was accused of breaching use of force standards for hitting a man and using the noxious spray during an arrest.

A misconduct tribunal was held into allegations “his actions breached the standards of authority, respect and courtesy, orders and instructions in respect of use of force”.

His behaviour was described as “amounting to discreditable conduct”.

The public hearing, which began on Monday, November 1, was told PC Rosa responded to reports of a man causing an incident on a street in Fulham on October 7, 2019.

During the response, he “punched the suspect in the face and body,” the tribunal heard.

The panel were also told the officer used CS spray - known as tear gas, which is used by police in riots - during an arrest in Fulham on September 29, 2019.

While on duty, PC Rosa used the spray “repeatedly through a partially open door towards a suspect”, the hearing was told.

The panel heard “colleagues were also affected by the spray, the use of which did not assist in the arrest”.

Proceedings concluded yesterday (Thursday, November 11).

The panel chairman found the allegations were proven and PC Rosa was given a written warning.