Met Police officer who assaulted man during New Malden arrest sacked

The Independent Office for Police Conduct said a complaint had been made (Sean Dempsey/PA)
PA Wire
Bill McLoughlin3 August 2023

A Met Police officer has been dismissed after he assaulted a man during an arrest.

Last November, Thomas Karlsen was called to a domestic dispute in New Malden. After arriving at the scene, he arrested a man for disturbing the peace.

During the arrest Karlsen proceeded to kick and punch the man before then using PAVA spray.

A misconduct hearing has since found he breached the standards of professional behaviour in relation to discreditable conduct.

Detective chief superintendent Clair Kelland, in charge of the southwest basic command unit, said: “We have been explicit around the high standards we expect within this organisation and we must maintain these in order to increase the trust that our communities have in us.

“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.”

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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