Croydon (Parliament Politics Magazine) – A Croydon officer who wrongly arrested Pc Perry Lathwood and insulted her was found guilty of misconduct but allowed to remain in his role, a panel ruled.
In July 2023, the police in Croydon, south London, called Jocelyn Agyemang a “daft cow” and “love” while making an inappropriate arrest.
The Metropolitan Police’s lawyer, Cecily White, told the misconduct hearing that the claimed language was “dismissive and condescending,” especially with regard to women.
On a bus in Croydon at the time, police officers were assisting ticket inspectors.
Before going to an appointment, Ms. Agyemang was dropping her son off at her mother’s residence.
A bus inspector asked her to prove she had paid her fare when she and her son got off the bus at around 11 a.m.
Ms. Agyemang was de-arrested at the scene once it was verified that she had paid her fare after another officer took her Oyster card and left to check if she had done so.
PC Lathwood was exonerated of additional charges that he had violated standards pertaining to discreditable behavior, the use of force, and equality and diversity.
According to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), he will receive a written warning.
Prior to the outcome of the misconduct process, the Met stated that PC Lathwood was on restricted duties.
Following the event, the cop was found guilty of assault and given a £1,500 fine; however, in September of last year, his conviction was overturned.
He allegedly gripped the woman by the arm during the arrest, resulting in bruising injuries, according to the Westminster Magistrates’ Court transcript of his trial.
IOPC director Amanda Rowe said:
“Police officers must treat members of the public with respect and courtesy during the course of their duties.
This was a distressing incident for the woman, who was handcuffed in public in front of her child, and the language used by PC Lathwood was disrespectful and unprofessional.
This was a high-profile incident which caused significant public concern at the time, particularly in the Croydon community, and we know this interaction continues to have a lasting impact on the woman involved.”
Paula Dodds, chair of the Metropolitan Police Federation, said:
“Short video clips of incidents viewed from the comfort of sterile and calm environments rarely take into account what police officers in London encounter on a daily basis – or provide a genuine understanding of the true nature of our difficult and dangerous job.
Police officers have no issue with scrutiny and accounting for their actions and use of force – but this has to take into account the dynamic and split-second challenges and the reality of our challenging role.
Pc Lathwood can finally put this incident behind him and carry on his career. We ask that he and his family are now left alone to get on with their lives.”
How do misconduct findings affect police officers’ careers long-term?
For misconduct that is less serious, such as using disrespectful language and failing to follow protocol, officers may receive a written warning, counseling, or remedial training.
Typically, these actions do not equate to termination but often impede promotional opportunities. They may, however, place an officer on continued restricted duties for an extended period of time.
Repeated or significant misconduct may be a basis for progressive discipline, reassignment, suspension, and in some instances, termination. When it comes to serious or criminal misconduct, conducting misconduct finding typically leads to termination. Most research indicates that officers who remain employed after a serious discipline is found are at a substantially greater risk of subsequent conduct and/or discipline.
