PC Lee Prince dismissed after using excessive force and verbal abuse against a 17-year-old in Swindon; public trust is key.
The panel looked at two claims against Prince. These related to an April 17, 2023, event at White Beam Court, Swindon. He was disrespectful to a 17-year-old boy being held by other officers and allegedly swore at him. He also allegedly used too much force, pushing the boy against a wall.
The panel deemed both claims true. As a result, they dismissed PC Prince immediately. Prince’s name is now on a barred list, preventing him from working in policing, and he also had a common assault conviction which failed appeal at Southwark Crown Court in January.
The City of London Court found him guilty in March 2024. He arrived after others detained a teen, suspected of criminal damage. Prince verbally abused the boy and then hit his head twice.
The boy said Prince called him names, leaving him feeling ashamed and embarrassed. He experienced nightmares about the assault. As a consequence, the boy now distrusts Prince and the police.
Prince received a suspended jail sentence of 16 weeks, suspended for 12 months. He must also complete 240 hours of unpaid work. Furthermore, he must pay £775 in trial costs and £500 in compensation, along with a £154 victim surcharge.
Deputy Chief Constable Mark Cooper stated that communities trust officers to act professionally. He emphasized that Prince’s behavior was unacceptable and held him responsible. The police will continue acting strongly, addressing unacceptable behavior to remove such conduct from their organization, maintaining high standards, and building public trust.