Published by Robert L Senior Reporter on Friday, 26th July 2024, at 17:00hrs
A Police officer filmed kicking a man in the head during an altercation at Manchester Airport is now under a criminal investigation.
The incident happened on Tuesday evening at terminal two. A video circulating online shows a police officer kick and stamp on a man’s head whilst he lays face down on the floor.
It is understood that the man had been tasered following an altercation where a female police officer had sustained a broken nose after being assaulted along with three other officers having to recieve hospital treatment after also being assaulted claim Greater Manchester Police, another man was also sprayed in the face and wrestled to the floor.
Four men were arrested and taken into custody but have since been released on bail its understood.
Greater Manchester Police later released a statement and said an officer had been suspended from his duties, and the force had since referred the matter to the independent office for police conduct.
The incident sparked anger amongst the public with large crowds gathering outside Rochdale Police headquarters that saw people barricade and throw eggs at the building, others took to the streets of Manchester in an evening of protests outside Andy Burnhams office on Thursday evening.
In a statement released today, the IOPC said,
“The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has advised a police constable he is being criminally investigated over the force used during an incident in which a number of men were arrested at Manchester Airport on Tuesday 23 July
We notified the Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officer today (Friday) that he is under criminal investigation for assault.
We have also served the police constable with a disciplinary notice to inform him he is being investigated for potential gross misconduct for a number of alleged breaches of police professional standards including his use of force.
The serving of notices does not necessarily mean criminal charges will follow. At the end of our investigation we will decide whether to refer the matter to the Crown Prosecution Service for a charging decision and decide whether the officer should face disciplinary proceedings.
IOPC Regional Director Catherine Bates said: “We can confirm we are conducting a criminal investigation into the use of force during events which took place on 23 July at Manchester Airport. We are arranging to interview a police constable under criminal caution as soon as possible.
“I have today met one of the men who was involved and his family members to outline our investigation and we will continue to update them and Greater Manchester Police as our enquiries progress. We will be speaking to the man involved in the second incident as soon as we can.
“The family has asked me to reiterate their call for peace and wish to stress that they do not condone any acts of violence as a result of this incident.
“We are meeting with a number of community leaders in Rochdale this afternoon to listen to their concerns and explain our role.
“Our investigation continues to gather relevant evidence and will be following a number of lines of enquiry. We will provide further updates when we are in a position to do so.”
Our independent investigation began following a referral from the force on Wednesday. IOPC investigators have already secured a significant amount of body worn video and CCTV footage which will be subject to detailed analysis.
Anyone with information about this incident can contact us by emailing Manchesterairport@policeconduct.gov.uk
G2K INCIDENT WATCH 