Policewoman accused of using excessive force on Dalian Atkinson was ‘brave’, panel told
A West Mercia policewoman accused of using “excessive” force for repeatedly hitting ex-footballer Dalian Atkinson with a baton during an incident which led to his death “showed bravery under extreme pressure”, a disciplinary hearing has been told.
Mary Ellen Bettley-Smith, known as Ellie to colleagues, was acquitted in September 22 after a jury cleared her of the assault occasioning actual bodily harm of Dalian Atkinson, 48.
Benjamin Monk, a former colleague of Bettley-Smith, is currently serving eight years in prison for the manslaughter of Mr Atkinson, a retired striker with Aston Villa and Manchester City.
At a professional conduct hearing at the Ramada Hotel in Telford where she is accused of gross misconduct, a panel heard on Monday how PC Bettley-Smith was accused of using force "beyond that seen as reasonable and proportional" during the arrest of Mr Atkinson.
The former professional footballer died after being arrested in Meadow Close in the Trench area of the town, outside the home of his father, in the early hours of August 15, 2016.
He had been suffering "the throes of a mental health crisis" before he was Tasered three times by PC Benjamin Monk, before the disgraced police officer then kicked Mr Atkinson twice in the head.
Mr Atkinson died in hospital around an hour after being kicked and incapacitated by the Taser.
