Met Police officer is sacked after using 'excessive force' and telling abusive suspect facing deportation that he 'shouldn't be in this country'
A Metropolitan Police sergeant was sacked after he shoved a man who was facing deportation and told him he 'shouldn't be in this country'.
Police Sergeant Navin Thammanna threatened the detainee with force if he did not co-operate and pushed him against a cupboard unit in a search room, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said.
He also told the Asian man that he 'smelled like a junkie and shouldn't be in this country'.
The man had been arrested on January 25, 2025 when police responded to a report of two men fighting.
Officers found the man was subject to a deportation order and detained him before taking him into the Fresh Wharf Custody Suite in Barking, east London.
It was there that Sgt Thammanna verbally abused him and made discriminatory comments, the IOPC said.
The detainee was being rude and abusive to officers and was taken to the strip search room before being threatened and pushed by the sergeant, his colleagues told the watchdog.
The next day, Sgt Thammanna bragged to a colleague about his use of force against the man.
Officers found the man was subject to a deportation order and detained him before taking him into the Fresh Wharf Custody Suite in Barking, east London (pictured)
He faced a gross misconduct hearing this week after being reported by three of his colleagues.
The disciplinary panel heard he used unnecessary force on the man, as well as derogatory and discriminatory language that was found to be in breach of police standards of professional behaviour.
On Tuesday the panel, appointed by the force and chaired by Commander Katie Lilburn, found all allegations against the officer were proven and that he should be dismissed without notice.
He will also be placed on the policing barred list, the watchdog said.
IOPC director Amanda Rowe said: 'Police officers, and especially detention officers, carry a great deal of responsibility for often some of the most vulnerable members of society.
'Ps Thammanna allowed himself to become agitated by the man who was undeniably being uncooperative. The officer was abusive, rude and used discriminatory language towards him.
'His use of discriminatory language was completely unacceptable, and he showed a complete lack of respect toward the man. It's behaviour like this which damages the public's trust and confidence in police officers.
'Police officers are permitted to use force in certain situations, however, any force used must be reasonable and proportionate. The evidence clearly showed that PS Thammanna's use of force was excessive and his actions were unacceptable.
'It was commendable that his colleagues raised this matter with their supervisor and gave evidence to support the case against Ps Thammanna. This is a good example of the disciplinary process being effective in rooting out poor officer behaviour.'
