Police Officers Sacked After Using Force on 92-Year-Old Amputee

Two police officers, PC Stephen Smith and PC Rachel Comotto, have been dismissed from Sussex Police for gross misconduct after deploying pepper spray and a Taser on Donald Burgess, a 92-year-old amputee with dementia, in June 2022. The officers were called to Park Beck care home in St Leonards-on-Sea after Burgess threatened care staff with a dinner knife. Bodyworn camera footage showed Smith entering Burgess’s room within nine seconds and stating, “Do you want to be sprayed or Tasered? It’s up to you,” before deploying Pava spray and striking Burgess with a baton. Comotto then used her Taser.

The IOPC found the officers used excessive force and failed to attempt de-escalation, breaching standards of professional behaviour. The disciplinary panel determined Smith did not assess Burgess’s vulnerability and Comotto showed no compassion. Both officers have been placed on the College of Policing’s barred list. While acquitted of assault charges in May 2025, the panel dismissed them without notice.

Burgess was hospitalized after the incident and died 22 days later after contracting Covid-19, but the officers were not held responsible for his death. A post-mortem examination concluded Burgess died of bronchial pneumonia with cardiac disease. Assistant Chief Constable Peter Gardner stated more information should have been ascertained from care home staff, and Smith demonstrated a lack of remorse. Comotto expressed remorse and stated she would act differently in the future. The IOPC director of engagement, Emily Barry, noted Burgess posed little risk as he was isolated and wheelchair-bound. The incident drew widespread concern and anger, with some outlets highlighting the officers’ rapid escalation of force and dismissive language towards Burgess.

Where they differ

• GB News emphasized the detail of the officers’ actions, including Burgess stating “I’m dying” and being cuffed, portraying a more graphic account of the incident.
• The Independent and BBC focused on the IOPC’s findings of excessive force and lack of de-escalation attempts, highlighting the professional misconduct aspect.
• BBC and The Independent both reported the officers were not held responsible for Burgess’s death, while GB News included the pathologist’s conclusion about the cause of death.

What is not yet known

• The specific reasons for the delay between the incident in June 2022 and the officers’ dismissal in May 2025 are not detailed.
• The full details of the care home staff's initial report to the police, and what information was conveyed, remain unclear.

Background

• The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is a body responsible for overseeing the handling of complaints involving the police in England and Wales [background knowledge].
• Sussex Police is the territorial police force responsible for policing the county of Sussex in England, covering Brighton and Hove, West Sussex, and East Sussex [background knowledge].
• In August 2026, a sign collapsed at the Big Church Festival in West Sussex, resulting in one death and multiple injuries, prompting a police investigation and Health and Safety Executive involvement [Fact Refinery, 2026-08-29].
• In October 2026, twelve people were arrested following an anti-migrant protest in Gosport, Hampshire, coinciding with the arrival of 149 migrants by boat, with police reporting incidents of assault and criminal damage [Fact Refinery, 2026-10-05].

Our reading

Our reading is that this case highlights a significant discrepancy between legal acquittals and professional misconduct. While the officers were found not guilty of assault in a criminal court, the disciplinary panel clearly determined their actions were unacceptable given the vulnerability of the individual and a failure to follow established police procedures. The differing focuses of the reporting, some outlets emphasizing the graphic details, others the procedural failings, suggests a complex narrative with multiple points of emphasis.

What to watch

• The full report detailing the reasons for the 22-month delay between the incident and the dismissal of the officers, if released by the IOPC or Sussex Police [IOPC/Sussex Police website].
• Any appeals made by the dismissed officers against the disciplinary panel’s decision, and the outcome of those appeals [court records].
• Future IOPC reports regarding excessive force and de-escalation training within Sussex Police, to assess whether lessons have been learned from this incident [IOPC website].

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