A police officer from the Metropolitan force, who mistakenly arrested a woman in 2023 for not paying her bus fare, has contested claims of gross misconduct.
PC Perry Lathwood was initially fined £1,500 for assaulting Jocelyn Agyemang, who was riding a bus in Croydon, south London, with her young son, but his conviction was overturned last September.
Currently, he is undergoing misconduct proceedings regarding accusations that he used force against Ms. Agyemang without any lawful justification.
If found guilty of this allegation, it may qualify as gross misconduct and could result in his termination.
Additionally, PC Lathwood is accused of making inappropriate remarks during Ms. Agyemang’s arrest, referring to her as “love” and calling her a “daft cow,” as stated during the tribunal.
Cecily White, a barrister for the Met Police, characterized the alleged comments as “dismissive and condescending,” particularly towards women.
Ms. White explained that Ms. Agyemang was approached while disembarking a bus on Whitehorse Road, Croydon, where police officers were collaborating with Transport for London (TfL) inspectors as part of a fare inspection initiative.
Video footage from PC Lathwood’s body-worn camera presented during the hearing captures Ms. Agyemang saying, “can you get off my arm,” “I haven’t done anything,” and “get off me,” followed by her cries of, “Can you get off me? This man is hurting me,” while her son appears increasingly upset.
In the footage, PC Lathwood can be seen shouting at her to “stop resisting,” later adding, “there’s a road behind you, you daft cow, stay here.”
Once Ms. Agyemang’s Oyster card was verified, confirming that she had paid her fare, she was released on-site.
That evening, Ms. Agyemang called the police, reporting that she had been held by an officer who caused her discomfort and described her arm as feeling “dead” and still painful.
She allegedly expressed confusion over her treatment and was in tears while speaking on the phone.
A video capturing the incident subsequently went viral on social media, as noted during the tribunal.
Ms. White asserted at the hearing that PC Lathwood was “clearly angry and frustrated” in the footage, emphasizing that the force used and the decision to handcuff her were “obviously disproportionate and unnecessary.”
The tribunal is ongoing.
