A POLICE officer who called a woman an “attention seeker” and a “Christmas turkey” whilst she tried to allegedly self-harm in her custody cell will not face any disciplinary action.

PC Ashley Bloor was accused of holding his knee down on an unnamed woman’s leg for four minutes when restraining her at Worcester Police Station in the early hours of December 15, 2017.

PC Bloor was also accused of calling the woman an “attention seeker” and “damsel in distress” in front of colleagues and saying “Merry Christmas everybody, there’s your Christmas turkey” whilst she tried to tie jogging bottoms and a dressing gown around her neck.

David Tyme, chair of the disciplinary panel, said PC Bloor’s comments were not offensive or derogatory and his behaviour was not found to have constituted gross misconduct.

He said PC Bloor’s “damsel in distress” comment was “spontaneous” and his use of force was justified and necessary. He said the officer’s “Turkey” comment was not about her looks.

Sergeant Lloyd Buffery will also face no disciplinary action for allowing male officers to be present when they removed the woman’s bra and tracksuit bottoms.

Both police officers were cleared at a disciplinary panel meeting at West Mercia Police’s headquarters at Hindlip heard on Thursday (December 5).

PC Bloor admitted his comments were inappropriate and unprofessional but would not admit they were disrespectful. He also denied calling her a turkey whilst she was naked and in the foetal position in her cell. PC Bloor denied the comments were disrespectful as the woman was “not within hearing.”

PC Bloor said he had called her a turkey because it was “close to Christmas” and he was referring to her as a “silly person.”

PC Bloor said it was “hard to say” how much pressure he had applied but there was “not much at all.” PC Bloor, who weighs around 14 stone, said his use of force was “necessary, proportionate and reasonable” and that four minutes was not too long.

The unnamed woman had been arrested for assaulting her partner at home and later charged with kicking two police officers and spitting at another.

In closing, Ian Bridge, representing Sgt Buffery, said the police officer was concerned by the “mere presence” of male officers in front of the woman. Due to a lack of female officers present to deal with the woman, Mr Bridge said Sgt Buffery had “done the best he could with the tools that were available to him” and had listened to the advice of the female officers.

Sgt Buffery admitted he had told officers to remove the woman’s bra but did not agree to officers removing her tracksuit bottoms.

Mr Bridge said Sgt Buffery, who is due to retire next year, had been commended three times, was “honest and trustworthy.”

Colin Banham, representing PC Bloor, said the police officer was not proud of his comments and was only trying to lighten the mood. He said the need to use force was “abundantly plain.”

Cecily White, representing West Mercia Police, asked PC Bloor why he was able to write in his notebook twice whilst still kneeling on the woman if he was so concerned she could become violent at any moment. Ms White said PC Bloor’s comments were “plainly disrespectful.”