A POLICE officer who was filmed kicking a man as he lay on the floor is under criminal investigation for assault, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has confirmed.
A video emerged on social media of police seemingly assaulting two detained people at Manchester Airport on Tuesday evening, with one officer kicking one of the detainees in the head.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed they were called to the scene of an altercation where “three officers were subject to a violent assault”, leaving one female police officer with a broken nose.
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The incident led to a protest outside Rochdale Police Station on Wednesday night, with the police officer who was filmed being suspended from all duties on Thursday.
In addition to the investigation of assault, the IOPC has also told the constable that he is being investigated for potential gross misconduct for a number of alleged breaches of professional standards, including his use of force.
The watchdog previously said it had received a second referral from Greater Manchester Police. The first relates to the use of force against a man detained on the ground and the second relates to the same officers use of Pava spray on another man at the airport.
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 July 23 at Manchester Airport. We are arranging to interview a police constable under criminal caution as soon as possible.
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“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.”
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