A police officer has received an 18-month written warning after an investigation found that dragging a handcuffed woman along the floor during an arrest in Bradford amounted to unreasonable use of force.
A West Yorkshire Police officer has been given a written warning after an investigation found they used unreasonable force while arresting a woman at a flat in Bradford.
The incident happened in October 2023, when two officers attended the property to arrest the woman in connection with an allegation of threats to kill.
A struggle developed after the woman refused to accompany officers to a police station for interview. During the confrontation, she bit one of the officers and was subsequently arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigated following complaints from the woman and her partner about the officers' use of force and allegations of discrimination.
Investigators concluded that the woman's arrest itself was “justified, necessary and proportionate”, but raised concerns about what happened after she had been restrained.
The woman was handcuffed and pulled into the hallway outside the flat. After she fell to the floor, the arresting officer dragged her along a corridor using the central bar of the handcuffs.
The IOPC found that dragging the woman using her full weight in this way was not in line with police training and concluded the force was unreasonable because of the increased risk of injury.
Investigators also found that the officer failed to communicate effectively with the woman, contributing to the escalation of the situation. Body-worn camera footage later recorded the officer using what the watchdog described as inappropriate language about the woman while she was in custody.
The case was referred to the Crown Prosecution Service to consider a possible assault charge, but prosecutors concluded there was insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction.
A misconduct hearing in July 2026 found breaches of professional standards relating to conduct, authority, respect and courtesy, and use of force. The arresting officer received a written warning lasting 18 months.
The investigation found no concerns over the officer's use of irritant spray and no evidence that either officer had acted in a racially discriminatory manner. The second officer was cleared of misconduct and criminal wrongdoing.
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