FOOTAGE released by Dyfed Powys Police shows how one of the force's former Newtown PCs physically and verbally assaulted a detainee.

On Friday, a force misconduct hearing found that Jonathan Reynolds would have been sacked for his actions had he not resigned from his position earlier this year, and he was barred from rejoining the police.

The incident happened on May 27 last year. The footage shows Reynolds using a spray into the face of the detainee, who was handcuffed at the time, from close range outside the Castle Vaults pub.

CCTV footage taken from Newtown Police Station then shows PC Reynolds pushing him with excessive force into the wall and floor. At one point his fellow officer can be heard telling PC Reynolds not to grab him by the throat.

County Times:

The hearing held at Dyfed-Powys Police Headquarters in Carmarthenshire last Friday heard that on arrival at the custody suite, PC Reynolds used an "excessive level of force" against the detainee, pushing him to the floor and into a wall whilst directing further derogatory and insulting language towards him.

As a result of the use of force used on the detainee, PC Reynolds was charged with two counts of common assault. He was convicted of both offences at Swansea Magistrates’ Court on February 26. His sentencing hearing has now been put back to this Thursday, June 25.

County Times:

On Friday, Dyfed-Powys Police Chief Constable Mark Collins said: "Former PC Jonathan Reynolds behaviour as set out in this case has fallen far below the standards required of a police officer at Dyfed-Powys Police, and he clearly breached standards of professional behaviour relating to ‘Use of Force’, ‘Authority, Respect and Courtesy’, and ‘Discreditable Conduct’.

"His actions on May 27 2019 were unacceptable, and such behaviour will not be tolerated.

“He resigned from his position as a police constable earlier this month, but at the conclusion of the hearing, it was determined that former PC Reynolds would have been dismissed instantly had he still been a member of the police force. This outcome will ensure that he is included on the College of Policing Barred List, which will prohibit him from working within policing in future."