Assault on a Police Officer in West Yorkshire

Coleen was a West Yorkshire Police Officer who was called to a report of sexual assault. Upon arrival at the address, there were a lot of people, most of whom were unfriendly. Coleen established that the phone call had been made about OA, a young female who appeared highly intoxicated. While trying to ask OA about what had happened, OA lashed out at Coleen. Coleen was punched in the face and kicked. Her colleague assisted her, OA was removed from the premises and arrested.

Coleen was offered restorative justice through the Victims’ Code of Practice and decided this was something she was interested in because she was keen that OA understood “there is a person beneath this uniform”. She knew that there was a good chance OA wouldn't be able to explain her actions because she had been so intoxicated. But Coleen wanted to tell her about the impact of her actions that evening, noting “I was there because I was called there. I was there to help.” She also wanted some clarity about the sentence OA had received and reassurances that OA was OK (“I know she was very out of it that night, but it’s clear that there’s some kind of vulnerability there”).

Facilitators established that OA had no previous record and had been given a 12-month Community Order. OA’s Offender Manager was very supportive of OA meeting with Coleen. OA herself was keen to engage, echoing Coleen’s comments “[Coleen] didn’t need that – she was there to help”. When Coleen’s request for Restorative Justice was explained to her, she stated “of course. It’s only right that I apologise and it’s only right that I apologise to her face. If that’s what will help, that is what I will do.”

A meeting was set up between the two parties. Coleen talked about the impact of OA’s actions – that OA had knocked Coleen’s glasses off her face, leaving her unable to see and disoriented. She had sustained two black eyes and explained “some people think that’s part of the job, but I had to go home and explain these to my two young children.” She also explained her concerns as a Police Officer – that she was attending a potential sexual assault in a city centre and time was crucial to secure the scene and allocate resources, while supporting OA. Coleen was also able to explain a timeline of events, which OA had been unable to provide.

OA explained that she had been raised in a particularly anti-police household, and had been proud that she had been different as the only one in the family with no criminal record. She was particularly upset that this was no longer the case. She could not fully explain her actions of that night, but explained that she had historically been the victim of a sexual assault – something she got very distressed about when she had been drinking to excess. She had taken Police advice and been medically checked out, and was able to conclusively say that there had not been a further assault at that time. This helped reassure Coleen about OA’s wellbeing. OA apologised, which Coleen recognised as sincere. She was happy to accept this. The two parted on good terms.

OA expressed relief and gratitude for “a chance to make things right and a chance to say sorry for the things I did wrong.”

Coleen noted “the meeting went as I thought it would in my head, but I got so much more out of it than I thought I would – I look forward to recommending this to others”.

Watch the PC Mellor West Yorkshire Police Restorative Justice case study here:

If you are interested in finding out more about how Restorative Justice might help you and you are based in West Yorkshire, please give us a call on 0800 783 1550 or email us at rjwestyorkshire@restorativesolutions.org.uk