PC Rajan Solanki allegedly used excessive force to restrain a mentally unwell man at the hospital last June, reports Marco Marcelline
A Metropolitan Police officer is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court tomorrow (10th January) charged with assault by beating.
PC Rajan Solanki, 28, will face the court following an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
The charge relates to an incident on 10th June 2024 when PC Solanki was dealing with a man at Whipps Cross Hospital in Leytonstone who had been admitted for a mental health assessment the previous night. PC Solanki allegedly used excessive force to restrain the man when attempting to reapply handcuffs.
The IOPC began its investigation following a mandatory conduct referral from the force in June 2024. In November 2024 the watchdog sent a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service, which authorised the charge.
It was revealed this week that the Met has paid out more than £41million in damages in the last five years. Figures obtained by Public Interest Lawyers also found that 15,169 claims have been lodged against the force since 2019.
Examples of claims against the police include malicious prosecution, wrongful arrest, sexual misconduct, assault, traffic accidents and property damage.
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