Police officers dismissed over treatment of man with autism

By The Press Association8th April 2016News EnglandADHD, Aspergers, Autism / Aspergers / ADHD, Bedfordshire, Learning Disabilities, News England, Vulnerable Adults

Two police officers have been sacked over their treatment of a man with autism.

Pcs Christopher Thomas and Christopher Pitts, who both worked for Bedfordshire Police, pursued and detained Faruk Ali after he ran away from them in Luton in 2014.

The officers faced charges of misconduct in a public office but were cleared following a trial, police said.

Following a misconduct hearing, both officers were found to have breached three standards of professional behaviour including respect and courtesy following the incident involving Mr Ali at Bury Park, on February 20 2014.

Pc Thomas was also found to have breached the standards of equality and diversity.

Both were dismissed from the force for gross misconduct, Bedfordshire Police said.

Deputy Chief Constable Mark Collins said: “Firstly I would like to apologise on behalf of the force to Faruk Ali and his family for the distress this incident has caused them.

“The two officers’ conduct has fallen well below any standard that is acceptable in policing and they have now paid the ultimate sanction in losing their jobs.”