Police officer dismissed over 'chokehold' offence

A police officer has been dismissed by a force without notice after admitting a charge of non-fatal strangulation.

PC Tyler McWalter previously pleaded guilty to the offence, which involved a man being put in a "chokehold" during an altercation in Weymouth.

A Dorset Police misconduct hearing on Tuesday found the incident amounted to a breach of the standards of professional behaviour, and was gross misconduct.

The 30-year-old, who was off-duty at the time of the incident, was dismissed without notice and has been placed on the police barred list.

The incident outside Kika Beach Bar on the Esplanade on 14 September 2024 left the victim suffering haemorrhaging to his left eye as well as a sore neck and throat, Weymouth Magistrates' Court previously heard.

PC McWalter was suspended from duty after pleading guilty to a charge of non-fatal strangulation in March.

Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Farrell said it was "very disappointing" to hear about an officer being involved in an "incident of public place violence such as this".

"We expect our officers and staff to adhere to the highest standards of behaviour even when they are off duty and behaviour such as this simply will not be tolerated," she said.

"We remain absolutely committed to ensuring officers whose actions fall below the high standards we expect of them are held to account and we want to send a message that there is no place in our organisation for someone who commits this kind of violent act."

PC McWalter is currently on bail and is due to be sentenced on 3 July.

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