The Metropolitan Police has issued an apology to Jason Matthews, a 54-year-old Black community leader, over an incident involving excessive force by PC Connor Jones. The apology comes as Jones, who has faced three misconduct proceedings since 2023, remains under scrutiny for his actions.
Matthews, a retired boxer and advocate for children with special needs, was attending Hackney Carnival in 2019 when he was detained, searched, and allegedly subjected to unnecessary force. Matthews claims that Jones twisted his arm, broke his phone, pushed him to the ground, and falsely accused him of being aggressive.
In a formal apology, the Met Police acknowledged the distress caused by the incident, which has since become a focal point in ongoing discussions about institutional racism within the force.
Officer With History of Misconduct Faces Limited Consequences
PC Connor Jones has a documented history of excessive force complaints. Following Matthews’ complaint, Jones faced a disciplinary hearing on May 18, 2023, which resulted in reflective practice. Later, he received a written warning on July 24, 2023, and a final written notice on September 20, 2024, after being found guilty of gross misconduct in an unrelated case.
During the 2024 hearing, Jones was found guilty of pressing a Taser to the neck of 16-year-old Black teenager Jamar Powell. Despite Jones’ denial and his claim that Powell was aggressive, the panel placed “limited weight” on his account.
Jones had been placed on restricted duties since October 2020, after facing gross misconduct papers in yet another complaint.
Jason Matthews Questions Accountability
While the Met issued an apology, Matthews has struggled to accept what he describes as a “qualified apology.” He expressed frustration with the limited consequences Jones has faced and the lack of urgency in addressing his complaints.
“It feels impossible for my community to build trust back with police when the ramifications for officers who behave in this way remain so inconsequential,” said Matthews. “Why is this officer still working, and what message does that send to our community about how much you care?”
Matthews reported the incident on September 12, 2019, yet it took three years for Jones to face a misconduct hearing. He criticized the delay, stating it sent a message that the police don’t prioritize such cases. An internal email from January 2020 revealed efforts to dismiss Matthews’ allegations due to a lack of body-worn video evidence.
Broader Issues of Racism and Misconduct in the Met
This case highlights broader issues within the Metropolitan Police. A 2023 report by Lady Louise Casey found the force to be institutionally racist, homophobic, and misogynistic. The report also criticized the misconduct process for failing to dismiss officers with repeated patterns of unacceptable behavior.
Between 2013 and 2022, 20% of officers in the misconduct system were involved in two or more cases, but fewer than 1% were dismissed.
Matthews called for systemic change, stating, “I want my kids to feel comfortable calling the police if they need help, not to feel the kind of anxiety I’ve always felt around them. The police need to rebuild trust with our community.”
Met Police Acknowledges Distress
In their statement, the Metropolitan Police reiterated their apology to Matthews, acknowledging the lasting impact of the incident. “We hope that the final settlement of the claim and our apology goes some way to repairing the damage in confidence and trust he is able to have in the police,” said a spokesperson.
Matthews has since successfully settled a civil claim against the force. However, he believes delays in processing complaints were deliberately manipulated to help Jones retain his job.
