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Police officer sacked for hitting handcuffed man

Submitted photo Tariq Evans, who has a shaved head and eyebrow, has a dark beard and moustache and is wearing a black and white check polo shirtSubmitted photo
Tariq Evans had been arrested and taken to Swansea Central police station when he was "taken down" by Sgt Rhodri Davies

A police sergeant who punched a man while he was in a cell has been sacked for gross misconduct.

Rhodri Davies, 45, of South Wales Police, used unnecessary, disproportionate and unreasonable force against Tariq Evans in October 2022.

Mr Davies, a former boxer, was the duty custody sergeant when Mr Evans was brought to Swansea Central police station.

Mr Evans was handcuffed when he was swung to the floor and then struck by Mr Davies, who also used a "dangerous" restraint on his neck.

The panel found Mr Davies "had the strength to contain Mr Evans" and the takedown and subsequent strikes were unlawful.

His actions were described as "deplorable" by a disciplinary panel hearing at Bridgend and he was dismissed without notice.

Another officer, PC Jack Williams, was jailed in September 2023 for assaulting Mr Evans in a police van before he was taken to the station.

Colin Banham, representing Mr Davies, said his client was a "very popular, well-liked and trusted police officer" who had given "20 years of good service to the public" and gone "above and beyond the call of duty" in his career.

Mr Banham described the incident as "extremely isolated and out of character" adding it was a "flashpoint in an otherwise exemplary career".

Christopher Mckay, the disciplinary panel's chairman, said a police station was meant to be a safe place for anyone and called Mr Evans' treatment at the hands of Mr Davies "deplorable".

Sarah-Lee Evans. Woman with auburn hair wearing dark-framed glasses
Sarah-Lee Evans said her son Tariq Evans had been traumatised by the incident

Mr Evans' mother Sarah-Lee Evans was "delighted" with the outcome following the 10-day hearing.

She said: "My son's a big lad but has ADHD and possible autism which is why he responded the way he did at the time.

"He's been left traumatised by this. He's found it difficult to hold down jobs and relationships and is being supported by our local mental health team.

"Sgt Davies was an experienced officer and custody suites are heated places, he should have dealt with this better and I'm glad he'll no longer be in that position."

She said her son was considering whether to take further action against South Wales Police.