A former officer who assaulted a member of the public while on duty has been added to the Barred List of policing. 

Former PC Thomas Karlsen, attached to South West Basic Command Unit (BCU), was found to have breached the standards of professional behaviour in relation to discreditable conduct.

Detective Chief Superintendent Clair Kelland, in charge of SW BCU, said: "We have been explicit around the high standards we expect within this organisation, and we must maintain these to increase the trust that our communities have in us."

Karlsen would have been would have been dismissed if he was still serving.

Kellend added: "The powers given to us as officers must be used fairly and professionally and it is clear that this was not the case on this occasion."

In June, PC Karlsen pleaded guilty at Westminster Magistrates' Court to causing actual bodily harm when called to a domestic dispute in New Malden in November 2022.

On arrival at the scene, he arrested a man on suspicion of breach of the peace. During the arrest, he punched and kicked the man as well as using PAVA spray at close proximity.

PC Karlsen will now be added to the Barred List held by the College of Policing. He cannot be employed by police, local policing bodies (PCCs), the Independent Office for Police Conduct or Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services.

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