'Life-saving' officer disciplined

Cambridgeshire Police initially rejected the complaint

A police officer has been disciplined for using excessive force when he grabbed a man who was threatening to jump from a second floor window.

The Cambs Police officer, a probationer in his 20s, was given an official "telling off" by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

It ruled he failed to use a Home Office-approved hold as he tried to help the suicidal man.

Fellow officers have reacted with disbelief at the news.

Cambridgeshire Police initially rejected the complaint lodged by the man's father, but he appealed, forcing them to refer it to the IPCC.

This was a young officer doing what he believed was the best thing and rather than receiving a pat on the back...he effectively found himself being told off Tony Laud, Police Federation

The IPCC then upheld the father's complaint.

As a result the officer, who is not being identified, was given "words of advice" - the lowest form of disciplinary action.

Cambridgeshire Police Federation secretary Tony Laud said: "It is unbelievable.

"This was a young officer doing what he believed was the best thing and rather than receiving a pat on the back, as he expected, he effectively found himself being told off."

The incident happened on 30 September last year when three officers were called to a disturbance at a house in Peterborough.

They found a man, high on drink and drugs, who was acting aggressively and threatening to jump from the window.

'Potentially dangerous'

The officer, then a year into his service, managed to grab him despite being kicked between the legs and assaulted.

During the melee the man's father arrived at the scene and entered the room as the officer was holding down his son.

A spokeswoman from the IPCC said: "With regard to this particular case, the Independent Police Complaints Commission was fully understanding of the circumstances this officer found himself in.

"It is, however, clear that an inappropriate and potentially dangerous hold was used and advice was therefore given to the officer in this regard."