Hertfordshire police officer faces trial on assault charge

A Hertfordshire Constabulary officer will face trial on an assault charge following an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

PC Abigail Chalkright, who is based at Hertford Police Station, is accused of spraying PAVA into the face of a man at Cheshunt on 1 February last year (2020) and the trial will be held before a district judge at Luton Magistrates Court tomorrow (Friday 11 June). She pleaded not guilty to common assault by beating during an appearance before the same court last October.

Following a referral from Hertfordshire Constabulary we investigated PC Chalkright’s conduct after she responded with colleagues to a reported disturbance at a property. This included considering whether the officer’s actions were reasonable, proportionate and necessary in the circumstances.

After careful consideration of the evidence we completed our investigation in June 2020 and passed a file to the Crown Prosecution Service, who authorised the charge the following month.

• At the end of the prosecution case during the trial on 11 June the defence made an application that there was no case to answer. This was accepted by the district judge who dismissed the case against PC Chalkright.