Two Sussex Police officers are dismissed after using a Taser and pepper spray on a 92-year-old amputee in a care home, according to multiple reports. The officers, identified as PCs Stephen Smith and Rachel Comotto, are sacked for gross misconduct or “excessive force” following a disciplinary process.
The incidents are linked to the police watchdog’s findings. Sky News and the Evening Standard report that the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said the officers used excessive force. The Mirror similarly says the officers used a Taser, PAVA spray and a baton, while the Independent adds that the incident occurred in June 2022. The outlets largely agree on the officers involved, the tools used, the victim’s age and condition, and the outcome of dismissal, while differing slightly in emphasis and terminology around the misconduct characterization.
