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A police officer who mocked the size of a suspect's genitals after pepper spraying him in the face at close range during an arrest has escaped the sack.

PC David Boddy used excessive force and made 'inappropriate' and 'derogatory' remarks about the man to fellow officers, a panel has ruled.

It happened at an address in Plymouth, where the man - who cannot be identified for legal reasons - had allegedly threatened his flatmate and caused criminal damage.

PC Boddy was given a final written warning after a three-day misconduct hearing, the Plymouth Herald reports.

A panel at Devon and Cornwall Police ruled his behaviour amounted to gross misconduct during the arrest in June last year.

He was put on restricted duties as a result of the incident, during which the suspect was sprayed in the face with PAVA spray - which affects the eyes and causes severe pain.

(Image: plymouthherald.co.uk)

It is illegal for members of the public to carry the spray, which is said to be more painful and effective than CS gas.

The force said PC Boddy used excessive and disproportionate force during the arrest, and afterwards made “inappropriate, disrespectful and derogatory” comments to other officers about the man’s genitalia.

The matter was put in front of the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), which ruled he had a case to answer for gross misconduct.

Superintendent Pete Windle, head of professional standards, said: "We expect the highest standards of professional behaviour from all of our officers and staff and it is the core duty of all police officers and staff to protect the vulnerable and provide a high standard of service to our communities.

"The officer’s behaviour in this case directly contradicts the force’s values, the code of ethics and the standards of professional behaviour.



"The public rightly sets high expectations of the police and on this occasion the officer’s conduct seriously breached this expectation. Such behaviour, as demonstrated in this case, will not be tolerated within Devon and Cornwall Police.

"The overwhelming majority of officers uphold this high standard day in and day out and provide an exceptional service to our communities."

Unusually, the chairman of the misconduct panel, Fraser Mogridge, decided that the hearing should be in public.

“In June 2016 PC Boddy attended the home address of the arrestee following a report of criminal damage and threats to his flatmate,” a summary of the case said.

“It is alleged that PC Boddy used excessive and disproportionate force when effecting the arrest by spraying the arrestee in the face at close range with PAVA spray.

“Following the arrest PC Boddy was allegedly heard making inappropriate, disrespectful and derogatory comments about the arrestee’s genitalia to other police officers.”

Most of the misconduct cases heard by the force happened behind closed doors.