Walsall Pc sacked after assaulting member of public
A Walsall police officer has been sacked after being convicted of assaulting a member of the public during a fight in Walsall town centre.
Pc David Mitchison was on duty in the town centre when he was called to deal with a fight involving two people outside the Tap and Tanner pub on Darwall Street.
An onlooker needed stitches to his head after allegedly being pushed by Mitchison during the scuffle, which happened at around 6pm on March 9, 2014.
Mitchison was found guilty of assault and fined £400, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £40, costs of £300 and compensation of £200.
He lost an appeal against his conviction in October last year, and was ordered to pay £533 costs.
And today Mitchison was dismissed from West Midlands Police force without notice.
Mitchison, who is in his late 40s, did not attend the misconduct hearing which was chaired by Chief Constable David Thompson.
Chief Constable Thompson said it 'undermines trust' if officers are kept in the force after such convictions.
Outlining the case, he discussed how officers have scope to use reasonable force, but that such force was exceeded by Mitchison.
Superintendent Joanne Clews, who runs Walsall station, said in a statement: "I would not be happy if Pc Mitchison returns to work under my command."
