West Midlands Police Officer Charged with Assault and PAVA Misuse
Summary
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has charged a West Midlands Police officer, PC Brandon Harrison, with assault and misuse of PAVA incapacitant spray following an investigation into excessive force during an arrest. The officer also faces charges under the Computer Misuse Act 1990. PC Harrison is due to appear in court on March 16, 2026.
What changed
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has charged West Midlands Police officer PC Brandon Harrison with one count of actual bodily harm (ABH) and one count of administering a noxious substance (PAVA) for alleged excessive force during an arrest on August 16, 2025. He is also charged under the Computer Misuse Act 1990 for allegedly recording body-worn video footage onto his personal mobile phone. These charges stem from a mandatory conduct referral made by West Midlands Police on September 8, 2025.
PC Harrison is scheduled to appear at Kidderminster Magistrates Court on March 16, 2026. This enforcement action highlights the potential legal and professional consequences for law enforcement officers found to have misused force or violated data protection laws. Compliance officers within law enforcement agencies should ensure adherence to policies regarding use of force, PAVA deployment, and the proper handling and recording of digital evidence.
What to do next
- Review internal policies on use of force and PAVA deployment.
- Ensure adherence to the Computer Misuse Act 1990 regarding recording and handling of police data.
- Monitor court proceedings for PC Brandon Harrison.
Penalties
Potential criminal penalties including imprisonment and fines, as well as disciplinary action up to dismissal from the force.
Source document (simplified)
West Midlands Police officer charged with assault and PAVA misuse
Published: 13 Mar 2026 News A West Midlands Police officer has been charged with assault following an Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation into allegations he used excessive force during a man’s arrest.
PC Brandon Harrison faces one count of actual bodily harm (ABH) and one of administering a noxious substance, namely PAVA incapacitant spray, against the man who was arrested on 16 August last year from a flat in Wolverhampton.
Officers had attended the address after the force received a dropped 999 call in which a disturbance was heard in the background. They found a man at the property who was wanted for failing to attend court.
PC Harrison is accused of punching him to the head during the arrest and later inappropriately spraying PAVA into the man’s face at close range while he was restrained in a police cell.
He also faces one charge under the Computer Misuse Act 1990 relating to an allegation he recorded footage from police body worn video onto his mobile phone without policing purpose.
PC Harrison is due to appear at Kidderminster Magistrates Court for a first appearance on 16 March 2026.
The charges follow a mandatory conduct referral made by West Midlands Police to us on 8 September last year.
Tags
- West Midlands Police
- Use of force and armed policing
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IOPC staff Media team member
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