Another officer sacked by Gwent Police over gross misconduct

Gwent Police's headquarters — Gwent Police’s headquarters

Yet another officer has been sacked by Gwent Police due to misconduct.

Allegations of gross misconduct against Calum Powell were proven at an independently-chaired public hearing, which ran between Monday October 30 and Wednesday November 1.

The misconduct hearing panel dismissed Powell from the force on Thursday November 9.

The hearing found Powell had breached three standards of professional behaviour – authority, respect and courtesy, use of force and discreditable conduct.

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The incident happened on July 1, 2021, which saw Powell act in an aggressive manner towards prisoner Fathal Moshen.

The officer used “unnecessary, disproportionate and unreasonable” force against the prisoner when he refused to wear a spit guard.

The panel found Powell’s actions were not justified.

Gwent Police’s deputy chief constable, Rachel Williams, said: “The behaviour of Calum Powell fell significantly below the high standards that we require of all our officers and staff, and he has been held to account for his actions.

“The level of force he used was excessive and completely unacceptable. There is no place for this type of behaviour in Gwent Police.

“Behaviour such as this only serves to undermine the committed work of the vast majority of police officers and staff who work tirelessly to protect the public with dignity and courage every day.”

DCC Williams continued: “At Gwent Police, we are fully committed to ensuring inappropriate behaviour is rooted out and we will continue to robustly investigate those whose behaviour falls below the high standards that we and our communities expect.”

Powell will be placed on the College of Policing’s barred list following the hearing, meaning he cannot work in policing again.

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