A POLICE officer accused of placing a handcuffed man in a headlock while he was in custody in Southend is set to face a misconduct hearing.

PC Jonathan Silverman is accused of pinning an arrested man up against a wall and wrapping his hand around the front of his neck while he was entering the custody block in Southend.

He is also alleged to have placed the man in a headlock while he was handcuffed with the force used against a detainee "not proportionate or reasonable".

PC Silverman has been on restricted duties since Essex Police became aware of the alleged incident, the force has confirmed.

He will be subject to a misconduct hearing chaired by assistant chief constable Andrew Mariner on Monday.

His conduct is alleged to have breached standards in relation to use of force; discreditable conduct; honesty and integrity; authority, respect and courtesy; and duties and responsibilities.

He is accused of "demonstrating incivility" towards the arrested man and allegedly made further comments towards him whilst entering the custody block.

Earlier this year chief constable Ben-Julian Harrington insisted the force is doing all it can to crackdown on rule-breaking police officers.

He told reporters: "We expect our officers to live by the oath they’ve taken – fairness, integrity, diligence, impartiality - as they strive to help people, keep people safe and catch criminals. And the vast majority do. 

"But the work of our professional standards department means we’re better able to identify the few who fall short of those standards and ensure they’re dealt with appropriately and robustly. 

"In 2023, a total of 25 officers and specials were dismissed, or would have been dismissed if they hadn’t already resigned. I personally oversaw 11 of those hearings further emphasising the importance we give to these matters."

PC Silverman joined Southend's community policing team in 2020 as one of 12 new recruits joining Essex Police's local teams.

Chief Constable Harrington added: "We have invested in the professional standards department with a new prevent and engagement team formed to deliver training and reinforce our standards."