Police officers fired over using 'excessive force' during arrest of 14-year-old boy

The officers were found guilty of gross misconduct during the incident in Finsbury Park two years ago

Two police officers working in Enfield and Haringey have been sacked for gross misconduct after they were found to have used “excessive force” during an arrest.

A disciplinary hearing found gross misconduct proven against PC Alexei Zalesskiy and PC Conor Ryan, both attached to the Metropolitan Police’s north area command unit which covers the two boroughs.

The hearing, which concluded on Wednesday (10th), followed an incident on 17th April 2021 in Wilberforce Road, Finsbury Park. Both officers attended after reports of large numbers of youths, possibly armed with knives, causing disorder.

A 14-year-old boy spat at the officers and ran from them. The officers detained and arrested the boy a short distance away, using force to do so. Both were found to have used excessive force in the arrest and then made statements about the incident which were not true.

This story is published by Enfield Dispatch, Enfield's free monthly newspaper and free news website. We are a not-for-profit publication, published by a small social enterprise. We have no rich backers and rely on the support of our readers. Donate or become a supporter.

A panel led by an independent legally qualified chair found the officers breached standards of professional behaviour relating to use of force and honesty and integrity.

Detective Chief Superintendent Caroline Haines, who leads policing in Enfield and Haringey, said: “Officers have to act with restraint and the public of course would expect them to be honest about their actions.

“Action will be taken against any officer whose behaviour falls below that which is expected. We are determined to drive up standards, and those who fail to meet those standards have no place in the Met.”

The officers will now be added to the barred list held by the College of Policing. Those appearing on the list cannot be employed by police, local policing bodies, the Independent Office for Police Conduct or His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services.

The misconduct investigation was carried out by the Independent Office for Police Conduct and a file passed to the Crown Prosecution Service, who felt the case did not meet the threshold for any charges.

We know times are hard

If you are struggling to make ends meet, we are keeping Enfield Dispatch free because of you. We know that many people cannot afford to pay for local news, so this website and our print paper will always be free. If you can afford to, and value what we do, a small monthly, yearly or one-off contribution can support us to keep providing quality journalism for Enfield to our community for free.

Monthly direct debit

Annual direct debit

£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else.