Police officer instantly dismissed after Birmingham assault

A West Midlands Police officer has been dismissed from the force for discreditable conduct at a misconduct hearing.

PC Michael Reynolds was asked to leave a licensed premises in Birmingham city centre on 21 December last year. The off-duty officer asked to be readmitted and when he was refused, he identified himself as a police officer and assaulted the doorman.

He was restrained by a fellow off-duty colleague and a passing police patrol was flagged down. Reynolds became physically and verbally aggressive towards a number of colleagues, and was arrested for assault and breach of the peace.

Throughout the journey and at Wolverhampton custody suite, Reynolds continued to be verbally and physically aggressive, requiring several officers to restrain him. 

Today Chief Constable Sir David Thompson dismissed the officer with immediate effect for discreditable conduct, and matters of authority, respect and courtesy. No assault charges were brought after the doorman did not wish to pursue a criminal complaint. In dismissing the officer, Sir David said:

“His behaviour has unquestionably brought the service into disrepute and made the job of good honest door staff and officers more difficult than it should be. It is a clear abuse of trust and powers. 

“I can see no way the public would have confidence if we felt this is the behaviour we would expect to see from police officers.”

The 33-year-old officer had been with the force for almost 14 years and was most recently a neighbourhood officer in Birmingham. He has now been placed on the College of Policing barring register, which prevents him from working in policing in the future.