Two Officers Dismissed After Taser and Pepper Spray Incident at Care Home

Two officers fired after tasing and pepper spraying 92-year-old man in care home. Police watchdog confirms gross misconduct.

Editorial Desk

October 6, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — City, Country — Two police officers have been terminated for gross misconduct following an incident where they used a Taser and pepper spray on a 92-year-old man at a care home.

The disciplinary panel found that PC Stephen Smith and PC Rachel Comotto acted hastily and with excessive force when confronting Donald Burgess, a single-leg amputee and dementia patient, who was seated in his wheelchair.

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During the encounter, the officers also used a baton and pepper spray after Burgess refused to drop a small dinner knife. A legal representative for Sussex Police stated that the force applied was both hasty and harsh, leading to the officers’ dismissal.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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