Two Met police officers charged with assault amid claims of excessive force

Two Metropolitan police officers have been charged with common assault after allegedly using excessive force when they stopped a man in north-west London in December 2021.

Sergeant Emily Joshi and constable Ozan Yelken are due to appear at Westminster magistrates court on Friday 15 July, accused of common assault by beating.

The charges relate to a man who was stopped on Wykeham Road in Hendon, north London, on 28 December last year. It is understood the incident relates to the man being stopped and searched.

In May, the Met received a complaint alleging that excessive force had been used and. The following month the police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), passed a file of evidence to prosecutors who authorised the charges.

In a statement, the force said the pair have been placed on restricted duties, which will be reviewed. It added that the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards is aware and misconduct matters “will be considered” once criminal proceedings have finished.

Chief superintendent Sara Leach said: “I know that this charge will, of course, be concerning. We have fully supported the IOPC with their investigation.

“As criminal proceedings are now active, I am unable to provide any more comment as it is really important that we do not undermine or interfere with this case.”