Former Met officer "would have been dismissed" following assault conviction
A special hearing decided former PC Archie Payne had breached the standards of professional behaviour in relation to ‘discreditable conduct’ and ‘use of force’.
A former Metropolitan police found guilty of assault following an on duty incident would have been dismissed without notice following a Special Case Hearing.
After considering all the evidence, at a hearing chaired by Assistant Commissioner Amanda Pearson, it was decided that former PC Archie Payne, had breached the standards of professional behaviour in relation to ‘discreditable conduct’ and ‘use of force’.
On the 5th of January 2020, former PC Payne was on duty with another officer in Romford when he responded to reports of a fight. A 26-year-old man ended up with lacerations to his head as a result of a baton strike - this was not caused by former PC Payne.
Following this incident, a second man, also 26, was physically restrained and pushed to the floor by former PC Payne.
The Met subsequently received a formal complaint about the force used by the officers concerned. Following a review of the available evidence, it was referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
In July 2020, following an independent investigation by the IOPC and a decision by the Crown Prosecution Service, former PC Payne was charged.
On Friday, 14 May 2021 former PC Payne was found guilty of assault by beating following a trial which began at Hendon Magistrates’ Court and concluded at City of London Magistrates’ Court.
Former PC Payne appealed his conviction and the hearing took place on 16 - 17 June 2022 at Southwark Crown Court. The appeal was not upheld.
On Thursday, 3 October former PC Payne’s sentence is due to be revisited, he has left the force.
Chief Superintendent Stuart Bell, East Area Borough Commander said: “Police officers have powers that allow them to use force. It is expected and demanded that when officers use those powers, they are used in a reasonable, proportionate and lawful way. An officer in each case must justify their use of force. It is clear that in this incident these standards were not met.”
Former PC Payne will now be added to the Barred List held by the College of Policing. Those appearing on the list cannot be employed by police, local policing bodies (PCCs), the IOPC or HMIC.