Pic: Wikimedia Commons

A Hackney based Metropolitan Police officer has been dismissed from the force on Monday following accusations that he had assaulted a French student.

John Caulfield, 33, had been accused of attacking 19-year-old Charles Quichaud, in August 2009.

The officer was acquitted of actual bodily harm in 2011, but was dismissed from the force after a review panel concluded that he used ‘unnecessary force’ and breached police standards.

Mike Franklin, from the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), said: “A disciplinary panel has concluded on the balance of probabilities that Pc Caulfield breached police professional standards in that his use of force was unnecessary, disproportionate and unreasonable and he has rightfully been dismissed.

“The panel also found that his written account of the incident was false, misleading and inaccurate and was, in all likelihood, written to justify his excessive use of force.”

Caulfield was accused of attacking Quichaud by chasing and hitting him in the face after he had seen him urinating in a bush. The student was reportedly on a three-week holiday in London.

Allan Gibson, from the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards, said: “There is no doubt that the actions of PC Caulfield brought discredit on the Metropolitan Police Service and although acquitted at court, reflect badly on the thousands of officers who are honest and work tirelessly for the people of London.”