PC accused of excessive force appears in court

A West Midlands Police officer has appeared in court after being accused of using excessive force against an individual during an arrest.

PC Brandon Harrison has been charged with assault causing actual bodily harm in relation to the allegation he punched the man in the head.

The officer is also accused of inappropriately using Pava incapacitant spray against the same person at close quarters while the suspect was restrained in a police cell. In connection, Harrison faces a charge of administering a noxious substance with intent to injure, aggrieve or annoy.

He appeared before magistrates in Kidderminster on Monday where he was placed under unconditional bail before his next court appearance.

The proceedings follow an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct into events relating to an arrest in Wolverhampton in August last year.

Officers attended an address after police received a dropped 999 call in which a disturbance was heard in the background, the police watchdog said.

Harrison faces a further charge under the Computer Misuse Act 1990.

It relates to an allegation he recorded footage from police body-worn video on his mobile phone without policing purpose.

He is set to appear next at Worcester Crown Court on 14 April.

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