GWENT Police's deputy chief constable today pledged, in answer to a judge's calls, to investigate alleged use of 'un-lawful tactics' - and said he would put officers in the dock if the allegations were proved.

In an exclusive interview with the Argus, DCC Bryan Davies (pictured) publicly apologised on behalf of the force to teenager Carl Sym-onds, who was assaulted by PC Michael Metcalfe.

Metcalfe was jailed for three months on Wednes-day at Cardiff crown court after admitting common assault on the Cwmbran 17-year-old.

Mr Symonds was taken in a police van to Ty Coch industrial estate and beaten by Metcalfe before being left to walk home.

The court had heard the teenager had called Metcalfe and two other officers "pigs". Following the sentence, the Recorder of Cardiff, Judge John Griffith Williams launched an un-precedented and scathing attack on Gwent police.

He called on Gwent's chief constable Keith Turner to investigate whether Metcalfe's actions were part of a "tactic" used by frontline police officers to deal with unruly people. And, the Argus can reveal, the judge has taken the unusual step of writing down his comments, asking that they be brought to the chief constable's attention.

Mr Turner is currently away but Mr Davies said last night: "There are concerns, and I will address the judge's concerns. If it results that any matters need to be presented to the criminal courts, or put through our own disciplinary procedures, then we will do so."

"If it is happening and we (as Gwent's most senior officers) did not know about it, I would be very concerned and it would be a major breakdown in communication, but this is what our own investigation will look at.

"There is no tactic as far as we can see. We have not had complaints of this nature in the past, and it is not something we would ever subscribe to because it is unlawful." "We are going through the judge's comments dot by dot, comma by comma, and will deal with all of the issues raised.

"It is not our intention to cover anything up. My big concern is about trust with the public because that is the most important thing we have."

Mr Davies added: "I wish to pass on to the family of the person who suffered this sad occurrence our whole-hearted apologies.

"I would also like to have in our thoughts the family of the officer who is now in jail, and both have our sincerest and whole hearted regret."

He stressed Gwent officers would not tolerate colleagues stepping out of line and, as in the cases of Metcalfe and former PC Christopher Timmins, jailed last year for assaulting Newbridge boxer Bradley Pryce, would give evidence against them in court.

Mr Davies said: "The important message is that the public must know that we as police officers will not suffer inappropriate behaviour by our colleagues. "While incidents like this affect officers' morale, they also affect the morale of the public."