West Yorkshire Police constable to attend misconduct hearing after forcefully detaining male driver

On June 15 2019, PC Hodson was driving a marked police van in the Castleford area, when a BMW came to his attention due to the manner of driving.

PC Hodson activated his blue lights and the BMW initially stopped until the police van pulled in front of it and it made off.

Other officers in the police van broadcast a radio message that the BMW had failed to stop.

The BMW then crashed into a roundabout and the male driver got out of the car and began to run away.

PC Hodson drove the van closer to the male when he saw him making off in order to get close enough to him to detain him on foot.

The front offside of the police van hit the male causing him injuries.

It is alleged that PC Hodson conducted an unauthorised pursuit of the vehicle, knowing that the vehicle he was driving was not a pursuit vehicle.

It is also alleged that the constable used force to detain the male driver that was not necessary and proportionate in all the circumstances and failed to act diligently in the exercise of his duties and responsibilities.

The hearing will take place on January 18, 19 and 20 2021 and the closing date for applications is 4pm on Wed 13 January 2021.

The hearing will be held remotely and a link will be sent via Microsoft Teams.

A full statement from a West Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: "PC 3488 Stuart HODSON will attend at a misconduct hearing for allegedly breaching the Standards of Professional Standards in relation to:

"Use of Force

"Orders & Instructions

"Duties & Responsibilities

"Discreditable Conduct

"On 15 June 2019, whilst on duty, PC Hodson was the driver of a marked police van in the Castleford area, when a BMW came to his attention due to the manner of driving.

"PC Hodson activated his blue lights and the BMW initially stopped, however, on pulling the police van in front of the BMW, it made off.

"Other officers in the police van broadcast a radio message that the BMW had failed to stop.

"The BMW subsequently crashed into a roundabout.

"The male driver of the BMW got out of the vehicle and began to run away.

"PC Hodson saw the male making off and drove the van closer to the male in order to get close to him so as to detain him on foot.

"The front offside of the police van collided with the male causing him injuries.

"It is alleged that PC Hodson :

"Conducted an unauthorised pursuit of the vehicle, knowing that the vehicle he was driving was not a pursuit vehicle:

"Used force to detain the male driver that was not necessary and proportionate in all the circumstances;

"Failed to act diligently in the exercise of his duties and responsibilities.

"The hearing will take place on 18, 19 & 20 January 2021 - closing date for applications is 1600 hrs on Wed 13 January 2021.

"Please note that this hearing will be held remotely and a link will be sent via Microsoft Teams."