London (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Met Police PC Imran Mahmood was cleared in a gross misconduct hearing over Tasing Jordan Walker-Brown on May 4, 2020, causing paralysis; IOPC investigated, and Met Police later paid compensation.
As BBC News reported, a Metropolitan Police officer has been cleared in a gross misconduct hearing after a Taser incident left a man paralysed. PC Imran Mahmood, who works with the Met Taskforce, faced the hearing over an incident in Harringay, north London, on May 4, 2020, during the first COVID-19 lockdown.
In a 2023 trial at Southwark Crown Court, Mahmood was found not guilty of causing grievous bodily harm (GBH). After the criminal trial, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) ordered a separate gross misconduct hearing to review whether Mahmood had broken professional standards.
Cdr Hayley Sewart said:
“The panel accepted that PC Mahmood held the belief Mr Walker-Brown posed an immediate threat to his safety and that of his colleagues – and acted on that belief.”
What was the outcome of Met PC Mahmood’s Gross misconduct taser case in London?
The hearing lasted 8 days and was held by a panel made up of a senior police officer, 2 independent members, and a legally qualified advisor. The panel examined evidence, including witness statements, body-worn camera footage, and expert opinions on the Taser deployment. After reviewing all the facts, the panel decided the allegations were “not proven”, allowing Mahmood to remain on duty.
During the trial, the court heard that PC Imran Mahmood and a colleague were following Jordan Walker-Brown on foot when he began running away. Walker-Brown climbed onto a wheelie bin and scrambled onto a nearby wall. At that point, PC Mahmood used his Taser, which caused Walker-Brown to fall and hit his head on the footpath. The fall left him with serious injuries.
Cdr Sewart added:
“It is a matter of huge regret that Mr Walker-Brown suffered such serious and significant injuries as a result of this incident.”
PC Mahmood told the jury that Walker-Brown had reached for his waistband while running and did not respond when officers told him to stop. He said the impact of the incident on Walker-Brown and his family was serious.
“His life has been changed forever, and we do not underestimate the effect on both him and his family,”
he said.
Mahmood also explained that police officers often have to make split-second decisions during their duties in dangerous situations.
“Having considered the evidence in detail, the panel concluded that PC Mahmood was justified in his actions given the situation he faced.”