PC Steven Martin, attached to the Met's firearms command, has been dismissed without notice following the incident.

The 15 year old was arrested on February 28 2021 following reports of an attempted robbery in Waltham Forest with two other teenagers. 

The three were charged but the case was later discontinued. 

PC Martin punched the boy when he was on the floor in handcuffs and used abusive language towards him. He then failed to mention within his initial account of the incident that he had struck the boy. When it was viewed on his BWV, he had said it was an accident. 

A complaint was made to the force by the boy’s mother and the case was subsequently referred to the IOPC. 

PC Martin pleaded guilty to common assault at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in January and was sentenced to a curfew order for 14 weeks (6pm to 6am). 

This week the independently chaired panel concluded he had used unnecessary and unreasonable force and also that he breached standards of honesty and integrity through not mentioning it in his report. 

Detective Superintendent Thomas Williams, from the Specialist Firearms Command, said: “PC Martin has admitted in court that his actions amounted to assault – while the use of force is an unavoidable aspect of frontline policing it must be appropriate and proportionate, and officers are rightly scrutinized for their actions.

“Misconduct proceedings have now concluded and deemed PC Martin’s actions require his dismissal from the force. I hope this demonstrates to Londoners that such behaviour is not acceptable from our officers and will be dealt with through the appropriate channels.”

IOPC Regional Director Sal Naseem said “Police officers may only use force when it is necessary, proportionate and reasonable in the circumstances. Following our independent investigation, we found a case to answer on the basis that the force used appeared to exceed what was required in the circumstances as the boy had given himself up and was not resisting.

“PC Martin has now paid a high price for his actions by losing his job and will be placed on a barred list preventing him from future employment within the police service.”