Complaints against officers

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But his police staff wife admitted assault by beating.

A specialist operations officer faces misconduct proceedings over a scuffle at Butlin's holiday camp with a 12-year-old despite being cleared of criminal charges.

Serving Met Police officer PC Joseph Kafel was found not guilty of assault at Horsham Magistrates’ Court on June 4.

He was accused of assaulting a 12-year-old boy while on holiday at Butlin’s in West Sussex on October 26, 2017 with his family after his 11-year-old son complained he was being bullied.

Several other adults, including the mothers of both boys, leapt up and during the confrontation PC Kafel pushed the boy back and he tumbled over.

He argued he used reasonable force to stop the youngster from attacking his son and after watching CCTV the magistrates agreed.

His wife Laura Kafel, who works as police staff for Cambridgeshire Police, was convicted of assault by beating in connection with the same incident last month but was given a 12-month conditional discharge.

A spokesman for Cambridgeshire Police said: “A member of Cambridgeshire police staff, Laura Kafel, is now subject to a gross misconduct investigation for criminal actions outside of the workplace, following her guilty plea to assault by beating.

“She remains to be employed by the force.”

A spokesman for the Met said: “A serving Met officer has been found not guilty of assault at Horsham Magistrates' Court Monday, June 4.

“Sussex Police investigated the matter.

“During the investigation the officer was placed on restricted duties.

“Now that criminal proceedings have concluded a misconduct review will take place.”

According to the Daily Star PC Kafel said his son is a vulnerable child and acted out of fear for his safety.

He told the court he is a rational police officer with 17 years’ experience and not the type of person to lose his temple, the paper reported.

A spokesman for the Independent Office for Police Conduct said no referral had yet been received from either force.  

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