British Transport Police officer sacked for punching handcuffed man detained under mental health act in South Hampstead
South Hampstead Station - Credit: Oxyman
A British Transport Police (BTP) officer has been sacked for gross misconduct after he punched a handcuffed man at South Hampstead railway station who had been detained under the mental health act.
Special Constable Mr Daniel Tiftik, who worked for BTP was found to have breached standards of behaviour by using excessive force, failing to exhibit appropriate authority, respect, and courtesy, and over breaches of honesty and integrity at a hearing which ended on Thursday February 1.
The Crown Prosecution Service have decided not to take action against him.
The hearing heard that BTP officers were called to the station on April 3 2017, after a man trespassed onto the tracks, and then called police.
The officers, including Mr Tiftik arrested and handcuffed the man. He was then put in the back of an ambulance.
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While in the ambulance, Mr Tiftik punched the man in the stomach three times.
He later lied about what had happened during a debrief after the incident.
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The Independent Officer for Police Conduct (IOPC) launched an investigation after the incident, when fellow officers reported concerns about Mr Tiftik’s behaviour.
The investigation was finished in August 2017.
In the investigator’s opinion, there was enough evidence upon which a reasonable tribunal properly directed, could find that Mr Tiftik’s actions amount to gross misconduct, and that a hearing should be convened.
The IOPC’s final report was referred to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in July to see whether he should be charged with a criminal offence.
IOPC regional director for London, Jonathan Green said: “Mr Tiftik struck a man who was handcuffed and had been sectioned under the mental health act after requesting assistance from the emergency services.
“To compound this Mr Tiftik then misrepresented what took place to his commanding officer. We entrust police officers with the power to use force in order to carry out their duties, but officers should only use force that is necessary, reasonable and proportionate.
“Our investigation concluded there was a case to answer over the level of force he used in the circumstances and we are pleased that the misconduct panel has agreed.”
