A disciplinary panel has concluded that a police custody sergeant at South Wales Police, Sgt Rhodri Davies, lost his temper and used unnecessary, disproportionate force against a handcuffed man named Tariq Evans in October 2022. The panel found that Sgt Davies, a former boxer, pulled Mr Evans to the floor and hit him in a police station, as well as used a “dangerous restraint” on him in a Swansea police station cell.
The panel determined that Sgt Davies’ actions amounted to gross misconduct as he was reckless and did not have control when he took Mr Evans to the ground. They stated that the strikes on Mr Evans were unnecessary, disproportionate, unreasonable, and not for any policing purpose. The panel also condemned the use of inappropriate language by Sgt Davies towards Mr Evans.
CCTV footage showed that Mr Evans was not physically aggressive before being taken down by Sgt Davies, despite being described as “highly aggressive” and “extremely violent” towards officers during his arrest. The panel highlighted that the use of a “dangerous restraint” on Mr Evans’ neck in the cell and knee strikes while he was on the floor were not acceptable or safe.
The panel chair, Christopher Mckay, expressed concern that some officers failed to criticize Sgt Davies due to a misguided sense of loyalty. The panel considered the incident in the custody suite to be gross misconduct and the actions in the cell to be misconduct, with the overall allegations amounting to gross misconduct.
Jonathan Walters, representing the appropriate authority, argued that dismissing Sgt Davies from the force was justified. However, alternative options such as a final warning or reduction in rank were also discussed. A decision on Sgt Rhodri Davies’ future with the force will be made at a later date.
Journalistic ethics encompass the principles and standards that guide the behavior of journalists in their profession. These ethics serve as a foundation for ensuring accuracy, fairness, and integrity in the reporting of news and information to the public. Journalists are expected to adhere to a set of ethical guidelines that promote transparency, accountability, and respect for the truth.
One of the key principles of journalistic ethics is truthfulness. Journalists are expected to report the facts accurately and objectively, without distorting or manipulating information. This commitment to truth is essential for maintaining the credibility and trust of the audience. Journalists must verify the accuracy of their sources and information before publishing or broadcasting a story.
Another important aspect of journalistic ethics is fairness. Journalists are expected to treat all individuals and groups fairly and impartially in their reporting. This means providing all relevant parties an opportunity to voice their perspectives and ensuring that diverse viewpoints are represented in news coverage. Fairness also includes refraining from discrimination, stereotyping, or sensationalizing stories for personal gain.
Independence is a fundamental value in journalistic ethics. Journalists are expected to maintain an independent stance and resist external pressures that may influence their reporting. This includes avoiding conflicts of interest, accepting bribes, or being swayed by political or corporate agendas. Independence allows journalists to uphold their duty to the public interest and to act as watchdogs for society.
Accountability is another key principle of journalistic ethics. Journalists are responsible for the consequences of their reporting and must be willing to correct errors or inaccuracies promptly. This includes issuing retractions, apologies, or clarifications when necessary. Accountability also involves holding oneself and others in the profession to high ethical standards and being transparent about one’s methods and sources.
Respect for privacy and dignity is an essential component of journalistic ethics. Journalists must balance the public’s right to know with an individual’s right to privacy. This means exercising discretion when reporting on sensitive or private matters and obtaining consent from individuals before publishing personal information. Journalists should also be mindful of the potential harm that their reporting may cause to vulnerable or marginalized communities.
Overall, journalistic ethics are designed to uphold the values of truth, fairness, independence, accountability, and respect in the practice of journalism. By adhering to these ethical principles, journalists can fulfill their role as providers of accurate and reliable information to the public, thereby promoting a well-informed and democratic society.
