Taser, Race, My Family and ME.

Michael Gilchrist’s 83-year-old mother has been fighting to establish the facts surrounding her son’s contact with Greater Manchester Police.

Michael Gilchrist has a confirmed diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Learning Disability (LD), and following his contact with GMP he was diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).” At the time of the assault, which left him catatonic, Michael lived alone, in a South Manchester flat, supported by his family.

At 6am in the morning on a summer's day in 2016; Michael was suffering a breakdown. Distressed, he left his flat and made his way the short distance to his brother’s home. Somewhere between his home and his brother he was spotted and an anonymous 999 call was made.

Ignoring his disturbed mental state Police repeatedly tasered and CS gas sprayed him. A witness said Michael was in a “Robotic State”.

A Police call log from attending officers advised Michael was mentally “Unwell”. It was also on record that he had “Self inflicted wounds to his wrists” and was covered in blood.

Officers advised PC Schofield, who was the last officer to arrive on the scene, that the victim had been CS gassed. In spite of that, Michael was controversially repeatedly tasered after he had been sprayed. When Officer Schofield was asked in court about the risk of combustion, and relevant guidelines PC Schofield said “it is guidance, I had a fire extinguisher in my van and if the worse were to happen, I would have used the fire extinguisher”

In May 2019 Mrs Justice O'Farrell DBE, found that “PC Schofield, repeatedly used his taser on Michael after he'd been told about Michael’s disabilities. This was “unjustified and unreasonable and inflicted unnecessary pain”. The judge continued the further use of taser was “in-appropriate” PC Schofields eight cycles for 72-seconds was not justified” and the “use of force was found to have been “unnecessary, unreasonable and inappropriate” and “amounted to a trespass to Mr Gilchrist’s person and a breach of the Chief Constable’s common law duty of care.”

Despite those findings Greater Manchester Police maintained public support of the officers involved and on the day of the judgment GMP Issued a statement

Saying “GMP has supported and will continue to support the police officers and former police officers who appeared as witnesses for The Chief Constable at the preliminary trial. “

Following that Judgement Greater Manchester Police investigated the incident themselves and in February 2020 found there was "no case to answer" and “no need for disciplinary proceedings.”

Novlyn Graeme Michael’s mother believes that “GMP’s lack of contrition coupled with the assertions in the Professional Standard Report Officer Schofield did nothing wrong, isn’t just disrespectful to Michael, me and the family, but is also disrespectful and contemptuous to the Judge and Court.”

The family appealed that decision to the IOPC who has ordered GMP Police Professional Standards to - "reinvestigate" allegations of "race" and "excessive force" in relation to behaviour of Serving Officers.

GMP have also been forced to issue and unreserved apology to the victim and his family

In an apparent U-Turn , Chief Constable Ian Hopkins Greater Manchester Police issued an unreserved apology.

“Greater Manchester Police Apology - Ian Hopkins QPM, MBA

Chief Constable

Incident on 6 June 2014 - EDITED Apology

I write to apologise for the actions of Greater Manchester Police ("GMP") officer PC 13560 Samuel Schofield on 6 June 2014.

As Chief Constable, I am responsible for the actions of GMP officers and staff acting under my direction and control.

I accept and respect the findings of Mrs Justice O'Farrell, DBE, set out in her written judgment handed down on 15 May 2019.

I am aware that following the judgment of Mrs Justice O'Farrell DBE, Mr Gilchrist's civil claim has continued and that evidence has been obtained from medical and other experts for the purpose of enabling the court to determine the effect on Mr Gilchrist of PC Schofield's unlawful use of Taser.

It is a matter of sincere regret that Mr Gilchrist experienced a use of Taser which, as Mrs Justice O’Farrell found, was "unnecessary, unreasonable and inappropriate" and which "would have inflicted unnecessary pain".

“For this, I offer you both, a sincere and unreserved apology. “

Michael’s mother believes “Officer Schofield assaulted Michael when he was ill and helpless” She says that “Michael was vulnerable by virtue of his Learning Disability, Officer Schofield knew that. That was a clear finding made by a High Court Judge”.

With Thanks to the Gilchrist Family, Dr Erinma Bell MBE and Kerry Pimblott on behalf of Resistance Lab

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