Police Officer Slapped with Community Order for On-Duty Assault
Sayeef Hasnain, a detention officer attached to the Central East Command Unit, faced City of London Magistrates’ Court on 11 January after being charged over an on-duty incident. He was convicted the very next day and handed a 12-month community order, 150 hours of unpaid work, £930 in court costs, plus an £85 victim surcharge.
Assault Caught on Camera
The court heard that on 28 June 2020, Hasnain was on duty when a man arrested for grievous bodily harm arrived in custody at Leyton. The suspect, handcuffed and flanked by three officers, refused to provide fingerprints and kept his fists clenched. Within seconds of entering the fingerprint room, CCTV footage showed Hasnain striking the man in the face.
Other officers immediately raised concerns, calling the force used “disproportionate.”
Hasnain Denies Assault, Claims Self-Defence
During a police interview, Hasnain denied assault, saying he acted in defence of a colleague and within his powers to take fingerprints. He refused to answer other questions.
Detective Chief Superintendent Pete Gardner, head of Met Detention, said: “Officers are permitted to use reasonable force when someone is in custody and refusing to comply with the fingerprint process.”
“However, Hasnain’s actions went way beyond reasonable force and this was immediately highlighted by the officers on the scene at the time. The public quite rightly expect the highest standards of professionalism and restraint from police officers and staff and, when they fall below those standards, they are held to account and, in this case, subject to a criminal prosecution.”
Misconduct Proceedings to Follow
Following Hasnain’s criminal conviction, misconduct proceedings are set to commence as the police department moves to hold him fully accountable.
