A Wiltshire police officer, PC Daniel Rusling, has escaped jail despite admitting to assaulting a 13-year-old boy at Monkton Park Police Station in Chippenham. The teen had approached officers for help after feeling threatened by others in a vehicle.
During the incident, PC Rusling swore repeatedly at the boy, pushed him six times, and dragged him by his jumper toward the car park exit. This occurred after the boy, along with five other children, had called 999 requesting assistance. The officer’s actions followed the boy standing in front of the police car, apparently to prevent it from moving.
An investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) found that while the initial push to move the child away from the vehicle was justified, Rusling’s subsequent conduct was disproportionate and unacceptable. The officer’s aggressive language and body language escalated the situation instead of calming it. He was even heard encouraging the boy to fight, saying, “come on then, you wanna go.”
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The boy, who was wearing school uniform and had disclosed he was missing from home, had asked PC Rusling for a lift home. Instead of deescalating, the officer physically handled the child multiple times. The court heard that these actions constituted assault by beating, though the teenager was uninjured.
At Bristol Magistrates’ Court on June 30, Rusling received an eight-week prison sentence suspended for 12 months and was ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work. The officer, 30, will also face a gross misconduct hearing by Wiltshire Police.
IOPC Director of Engagement Derrick Campbell stated: “The children were compliant until the boy stood in front of the police car. PC Rusling’s response was wholly disproportionate, marked by aggression and foul language. His behavior was not only inappropriate but also damaging to community trust.”
Wiltshire Police Deputy Chief Constable Mark Cooper issued a formal apology to the boy, his family, and the community: “You expect better from us, and we let you down. Rusling’s actions were criminal and do not represent our force. We remain committed to rooting out such misconduct and rebuilding public confidence.”
This case highlights the critical need for restraint and professionalism when police interact with vulnerable young people seeking help.