Two police officers sacked after tasering 92-year-old amputee in care home

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Two police officers who deployed a Taser and synthetic pepper spray against a 92-year-old amputee have been dismissed for gross misconduct.

PCs Stephen Smith and Rachel Comotto exerted “excessive force” against Donald Burgess, according to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

The officers attended a residential care facility in St Leonards, East Sussex, on June 21 2022, following reports that a resident had a knife and was threatening staff.

Bodyworn camera video showed the officers entering a room where Mr Burgess, a wheelchair user with an amputated leg, was isolated.

Within 90 seconds of arriving on scene, both officers subjected Mr Burgess to physical force, the IOPC stated.

PC Smith sprayed Pava chemical spray into the elderly man’s face and struck his arm with a baton. PC Comotto subsequently deployed her Taser device.

A disciplinary panel concluded the pair had used “inappropriate” force against the disabled man.

PC Comotto was also found to have published an inappropriate remark on Facebook regarding the incident.

The disciplinary hearing heard that PC Comotto responded to a Facebook message from another user reading: “Happy birthday, the care home is getting closer and closer” with wink and laugh emojis.

PC Comotto answered the post: “We all know what happens in care homes”, concluding with a lightning bolt emoji.

The poster then said in reply: “I think you’ll be banned from going to any care homes in future, all he wanted to do was butter his bread” followed by two laughing emojis.

On Wednesday, PC Comotto admitted authoring the online message on the day of the event.

Following the deployment of inappropriate force by the officers, Mr Burgess was admitted to hospital, where he contracted Covid-19.

Sussex Police stated that evidence did not suggest the officers’ actions caused or contributed to his death.

Although PC Smith and PC Comotto were acquitted of assault following a Southwark Crown Court trial in May 2025, they were sacked without notice on Tuesday, the IOPC confirmed.

They will also be placed on the College of Policing’s barred list, prohibiting them from future police work.

The deputy chief constable of Sussex Police stated he was “appalled” by their conduct, while IOPC director of engagement Emily Barry said Mr Burgess “clearly posed little risk to the officers”.

“Our thoughts and sympathies remain with the family of Donald Burgess,” Ms Barry said.

“We know that footage of this incident showing the force used by the officers on Mr Burgess has caused widespread concern and anger.”

“This was not a fast-paced incident where the officers or other care home residents were in immediate danger.

“Mr Burgess, who was wheelchair-bound and holding a cutlery knife, was isolated from other residents and clearly posed little risk to the officers.

“Any use of force should have been a last resort and only used when necessary.

“Rather than de-escalating the situation they immediately threatened Mr Burgess with force and then discharged Pava spray, struck him with a baton and tasered him when he didn’t drop the knife.

“Their actions were clearly excessive and unreasonable, and PC Comotto then displayed further poor judgment by joking about tasering Mr Burgess on social media afterwards.

“Their actions have damaged the public’s trust and confidence in policing and they have been held accountable and dismissed from policing.”

Paul Court, Sussex Police Deputy Chief Constable, said: “Like many, I was appalled by the officers’ actions and I would like to apologise to Mr Burgess’s family for their conduct during this upsetting incident.

“The force used against Mr Burgess by these officers was excessive, unnecessary and in no way reflects the conduct of those who serve in Sussex Police, particularly when responding to incidents involving vulnerable people and those in crisis.

“Police officers can often find themselves in challenging and unpredictable situations, where they must make split-second decisions to keep the public safe and to do so with measure, compassion and skill.

“Any use of force must be reasonable, necessary and proportionate, and officers know they will be held accountable for their actions every time.

“I expect our officers to show empathy to people, to demonstrate restraint in their actions and to show humility and courage when things go wrong.

“The absence of these qualities make these two officers unsuitable to serve the communities of Sussex and they have rightly been dismissed without notice from our force and will be unable to work in policing again.

“Our thoughts remain with the family of Mr Burgess.”

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