PC Charlie Cano outcome summary

Misconduct hearing outcome 

Officer concerned: PC Charlie Cano

Dates of hearing: 10 April 2026

Summary

The allegations against PC Charlie Cano were as follows:
1. (i)The footage captured on 4 October 2024 described the arrest of a 17 year-old female. When asked why she climbed on the bonnet of your police car, you appeared to point to your head and tap it, which may imply that you felt it was as a result of mental health issues.
(ii)You also described her as "horrible, she is fucking horrible".

2. Further, on 3 November 2024, you participated in a conversation with another colleague regarding a rumour that he had tasered someone in the face. You said, "why let the truth get in the way of a good story. That's what I always say." Your colleague stated, "I did draw my taser into somebody's face" and "I didn't use it as a compliance tool, I used it because I thought he had a knife." You replied, "and that's the story we stick to." Your colleague is then heard to say, "and that's the story that we stick by because that's what my MG11 says", you then added, "and my use of force [form]."

3. The footage provided by the BBC showed that during the same conversation, you began to discuss an incident involving the Mother of the 17 year-old. Within that conversation, the footage showed that you appeared to find using force against the Mother amusing. In relation this, you remarked that you had drawn your Taser but that "it didn't look good because she was black", so then you put your Taser away and "fly kicked her instead."

4. You also noted that you removed the 17 year-old detainee from the police van rather roughly, saying "I got her and I literally dragged her", you then made noises and used your finger to insinuate that she hit the floor multiple times before saying "I was like, that's your own fucking fault then isn't it".

Decision

The Chair, Commander Andy Brittain, found the allegation 1(i), 2, 3 and 4 proven and that PC Charlie Cano had cumulatively breached the Standards of Professional Behaviour at the level of Gross Misconduct in relation to 'Discreditable Conduct', 'Authority, Respect & Courtesy' and 'Equality & Diversity'.

PC Cano was dismissed without notice and will be placed on the college of policing barred list.