Four-day misconduct hearing for two PCs

Following an investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission, PC Stuart Francis and PC Rishi Patel are facing allegations following an incident the Nickey Line in Redbourn on July 16 last year.

Police say that at around 2.30pm there was an incident involving two boys, who were travelling on a moped, and a man.

One of the boys, now 16, suffered serious injuries and was airlifted to a London hospital where he was in a coma for two weeks.

He is now receiving round-the-clock care and it is not known whether he will ever fully recover from his injuries.

A man in his 60s sustained minor injuries following the incident. He was treated at hospital and later discharged.

PC Francis is alleged to have breached the standards of professional behaviour in relation to honesty and integrity; authority, respect and courtesy and use of force.

PC Patel is alleged to have breached the standards of professional behaviour in relation to honesty and integrity, and use of force.

A statement on the Herts Police website said: “Both officers are alleged to have used unnecessary and/or inappropriate force on the injured male and subsequently provided dishonest and/or misleading accounts of their actions in statements and interviews. “Additionally it is alleged that PC Francis failed to treat the male with respect and/or courtesy.”