A Met police officer, Rajan Solanki, received a 12-week jail term for assaulting a handcuffed man in an East London hospital.
A court sentenced him to 12 weeks at Westminster Magistrates’ Court. He admitted to the assault, the IOPC stated.
The charge relates to an incident from June 9, 2024, when Solanki and another officer visited a hospital to check on a man having a mental health assessment. The man was already handcuffed to the bed, allegedly acting violently earlier with each wrist cuffed, according to the IOPC.
Around 1:15 AM on June 10, Solanki removed a handcuff. When he tried to reattach it, they struggled. The watchdog gave this information. Footage from a body camera was shown in court. It showed Solanki restraining the man, putting his arm around his neck while holding the first arm. The man looked distressed, appeared red faced, and struggled to breath.
Solanki kept his arm around the man’s neck, saying he would choke him while using swear words to emphasize it. Other officers then helped secure the man, placing him face down on the bed with his arms crossed. Solanki held his arm around the man’s neck for over 20 seconds.
The officer will have a 12-month probation starting after his release from jail, the police watchdog confirmed. Amanda Rowe directs the IOPC, and stated that officers must use force reasonably. Solanki used illegal force, putting his arm around a handcuffed man’s neck. His actions could have been very dangerous and he now has a conviction for assault. The prison sentence reflects the seriousness.
The watchdog investigated this incident and will talk with Scotland Yard later concerning disciplinary actions for the officer.
