Police officer who dragged and beat vulnerable man who wasn't resisting arrest avoids jail

An Essex Police officer who used unlawful and excessive force on a vulnerable man, who was not resisting arrest, has walked free from court after being convicted of assault.

PC Glen Calvert, 53, and attached to the force’s response unit, was today (April 17 2025) found guilty of assault by beating following a trial at Colchester Magistrates’ Court. He was sentenced to 18 weeks' imprisonment, but it was suspended for 18 months.

The prosecution followed an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

The court heard that on 19 May 2024, PC Calvert and other Essex officers attended an address in West Mersea where there were concerns for a man’s welfare.

PC Calvert located the man inside the address and handcuffed him before leading him outside the property, where he was to be taken to hospital for a mental health assessment.

While taking him outside the house, police body worn footage showed PC Calvert push the man against a fence before taking him to the floor and pushing him against the fence a second time, despite the man showing no obvious signs of resistance or aggression.

PC Calvert then placed the man – who was still handcuffed – into the cage of the police van before pulling him out, throwing him to the ground and striking him with his knee.

He then dragged the man along the ground by his handcuffs before putting him back into the police van.

IOPC Director Emily Barry said: “By law, police officers can use force if it’s reasonable in the circumstances.

“PC Calvert had no justification for repeatedly using excessive force against a man who was handcuffed and did not appear to be resisting.

“Officers have a duty to protect the public. Instead, PC Calvert abused his policing powers by assaulting a man and his actions have the potential to undermine trust and confidence in police officers.”

Our investigation began in June 2024 following a voluntary conduct referral from the force.

We obtained and reviewed officers’ body worn footage, obtained accounts from the attending officers and interviewed PC Calvert under criminal caution.

We completed our investigation in October and decided to refer a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service, which authorised the charge.

At the end of our investigation, we also found that PC Calvert should face a gross misconduct hearing for allegedly breaching the police standards of professional behaviour relating to authority, respect and courtesy; use of force, discreditable conduct, honesty and integrity, and equality and diversity.

Now that criminal proceedings have concluded, we will liaise with the force to progress disciplinary proceedings.