Jason Matthews
The Metropolitan Police has issued an apology to Jason Matthews. He is a well-known leader in the black community. This apology comes after his wrongful detention during the Hackney Carnival in 2019. The officer involved, PC Connor Jones, has faced several allegations of misconduct.
Incident Details
Jason Matthews is a retired boxer. He now works with children who have special needs. During the Hackney Carnival, Matthews claims that officer Connor Jones used unnecessary force against him. Matthews alleges that the officer twisted his arm, broke his phone, and pushed him to the ground. He states he was wrongfully arrested and accused of being aggressive. The police have acknowledged the distress Matthews experienced.
Apology and Community Response
The Metropolitan Police addressed Matthews in a letter. They recognized the distress he went through during the incident. However, Matthews has criticized the apology as lacking. He believes the police need to take more significant actions.
“It feels impossible for my community to build trust back with police,” Matthews stated. He pointed out that the consequences for officers like Jones are too minor.
Concerns About Officer’s Conduct
PC Connor Jones’s history of misconduct is troubling. He has faced multiple disciplinary actions since 2023. These actions include:
- In May 2023, he underwent reflective practice in relation to Matthews’ incident.
- In July 2023, he received a written warning after another misconduct meeting.
- Most notably, in September 2024, he received a final written notice. This decision followed a gross misconduct hearing where he was found guilty. During this hearing, he was accused of pressing a Taser to the neck of Jamar Powell, a 16-year-old black boy.
Even with this record, Jones remains on the force. Matthews has expressed concern that this fact damages the trust of the community.
Delays in Addressing Complaints
Matthews filed a complaint shortly after the incident in 2019. However, it took three years before Jones attended a misconduct meeting. Internal emails show troubling opinions among officers. One officer even suggested they could “shut down” Matthews’ allegations due to a lack of body-worn video evidence.
Matthews believes that these delays send a message. He said, “The delay in addressing this sends the message that the police don’t care.” He also stated that the slow response allowed the system to benefit Jones.
Wider Issues Within the Metropolitan Police
A 2022 investigation led by Louise Casey found significant problems within the Metropolitan Police. The report concluded that the organization was institutionally racist, homophobic, and misogynistic. Casey highlighted flaws in the misconduct process, where officers with repeated bad behavior often kept their jobs.
Matthews calls for systemic change in the police force. He stated, “I want my kids to feel comfortable calling the police. Not the kind of anxiety I always have around them.”
Met Police’s Statement
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police responded to the situation. They said, “We are sorry for the distress that Mr. Matthews suffered as a result of the officer’s actions.” They hope that their apology and the resolution of the claim will help rebuild confidence and trust in the police.
About The Author
