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Sussex Police officers sacked after 92-year-old tasered and pepper sprayed in care home
A disciplinary panel found the officers used baton, pepper spray and a Taser on the vulnerable care home resident without justification.
- On Tuesday, Sussex Police dismissed PC Stephen Smith and PC Rachel Comotto without notice for gross misconduct, ruling they used "unjustified and excessive use of force" against 92-year-old Donald Burgess at a St Leonards care home.
- In June 2022, Smith and Comotto responded to reports of a resident threatening staff at the care home, where bodyworn footage showed them deploying PAVA spray, a Taser, and a baton against the isolated, wheelchair-using Burgess.
- The misconduct panel found Smith "made no attempt to assess or understand" Burgess's vulnerability, while Comotto "showed no compassion." Both officers' tone was deemed "dismissive in nature" and "antagonistic" toward the elderly amputee.
- Sussex Police added both officers to the College of Policing's Barred List, preventing future policing work. Deputy Chief Constable Paul Court apologized to the Burgess family, though both had been acquitted of assault occasioning actual bodily harm last year.
- Although Burgess died 22 days after the incident, authorities confirmed evidence did not indicate the officers' actions contributed to his death. The hearing concluded today, ensuring neither officer can work in policing again.
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15 Articles
15 Articles
Two officers have been sacked for big misconduct after they used a Taser and pepper spray on a 92-year-old amputee, the police watchdog has said.
Coverage Details
Total News Sources15
Leaning Left3Leaning Right1Center7Last UpdatedBias Distribution64% Center
Bias Distribution
- 64% of the sources are Center
64% Center
L 27%
C 64%
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