A disciplinary panel has concluded that a police officer breached the human rights of an innocent father and son after punching them both during an arrest in Slough.
PC Oliver Downing has been dismissed from Thames Valley Police, following the conclusion of an inquiry into his conduct.
The inquiry heard that a group of officers - including PC Downing - stopped Mohamed Umar and his 19-year-old son, Ibrahim, after reports of a knife fight near a Texaco garage.
Investigators have established that the Umars had nothing to do with the incident - but PC Downing subjected them to serious violence.
This included kneeling on Ibrahim's face, and punching both men.
The officer also used foul language during the arrest, which the subsequent disciplinary report described as discreditable conduct in its own right.
The report states: "Both Mr Ibrahim Umar and Mr Mohamed Umar experienced infringements to their human rights, including right to a private life, and breaching the prohibition of degrading treatment."
The incident occurred on March 8, 2022.
PC Downing was part of a police team responding to reports of a knife fight between two youths at a Texaco garage.
Soon after arriving, PC Downing began scouting the area, and observed a grey Toyota Prius - which, by his account, appeared to speed away from the police car.
This led to the Prius being pulled over.
The car was being driven by Mohamed Umar, with his son Ibrahim travelling as a passenger.
PC Downing was the only Taser-trained officer present on the day, and he produced it against Ibrahim.
In his view, the 19-year-old was too slow getting out of the vehicle - and, in response, he was taken to the ground.
The disciplinary panel said of this: "The suggestion that he [Ibrahim Umar] was non-compliant to the officer's orders is not accepted by the panel, as a proper opportunity needs to be given to comply, and this was not given."
While attempting to handcuff Ibrahim, PC Downing then punched him in the face.
During the incident, PC Downing would deliver two additional punches to Ibrahim's side.
When Mohamed attempted to intervene, he was himself handcuffed and punched in the lower back.
The disciplinary report notes that, while officers had been "struggling" with Ibrahim, Mohamed Umar had repeatedly offered to comply with officers when he was punched.
In a video of the incident, PC Downing is heard telling another officer at the scene that he "proper hit him [Ibrahim Umar]."
The men were searched, but no knife was found.
They have been cleared of any wrongdoing.
Following a complaint from the Umars, PC Downing continued to work as a police officer.
However, the disciplinary panel resolved to dismiss him outright in February this year.
Justifying their decision, they found PC Downing was responsible for "very serious" misconduct.
The report reads: "There is increasing scrutiny nationally of policing officers related to excessive use of force or any other breach of professional standards.
"Policing is currently on a precipice of trust and confidence of the public in the police service.
"The panel has found gross misconduct and the behaviour of the officer has caused serious harm to the individuals, and public confidence in [the] standing and reputation of the police profession is harmed as a whole."
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