A police officer in Wiltshire received a suspended jail term for assaulting a 13-year-old boy while on duty.
PC Daniel Rusling, a response officer, admitted to one count of assault by beating related to the incident that occurred in Chippenham on October 14 of the previous year.
During a court session at Bristol Magistrates’ Court, Rusling was given an eight-week prison sentence, which was suspended for a year. Additionally, he was instructed to carry out unpaid work.
The assault occurred outside the Monkton Park police station in the early hours of October 14 after the boy, part of a group of six children, called 999 seeking help, claiming they were threatened by individuals in a vehicle.
Video footage from a body-worn camera showed Rusling using profanity towards the boy, who was in school attire, and pushing him aggressively multiple times. Fortunately, the child did not sustain any injuries.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigated the case, overseeing both the criminal and misconduct inquiries.
Deputy Chief Constable Mark Cooper of Wiltshire Police issued an apology directly to the victim, emphasizing the department’s disappointment in failing to meet the expected standards. He condemned Rusling’s actions as criminal, stating they deviated from the duty to protect the vulnerable and resorted to violence and offensive language as intimidation tactics.
Cooper clarified that Rusling’s behavior was not reflective of the overall ethos of Wiltshire Police and its personnel, promising to identify and dismiss any individuals exhibiting similar misconduct. He pledged to learn from such incidents and communicate the department’s unequivocal stance on such matters to all stakeholders.
Rusling is set to undergo an expedited gross misconduct hearing as a consequence of his actions.