A police officer is under criminal investigation for potential assault after Sex Education star Reece Richards claimed he was unlawfully arrested.
The Independent Office For Police Conduct (IOPC) said the same officer is also being investigated for potential gross misconduct, while a second officer is being investigated for potential misconduct.
Richards claimed in an Instagram post that he had been sprayed with an incapacitating liquid and was thrown to the ground and kicked by officers in Fulham, west London, in September this year, after being mistaken for a suspect.
The actor, who plays Eugene in the hit Netflix series, said the incident took place âjust yards from my front doorâ after he had finished performing in a production of Hairspray The Musical.
He said: âOn Wednesday September 4, between 12.38am and 2.30am, I was the victim of an unlawful arrest⌠I had just finished performing in Hairspray the Musical when a car crashed near me.â
Richards said two men jumped out of the vehicle so he pointed police to the direction in which they had fled.
He said the officer then shouted to him that he was under arrest and âdemandedâ he get to the ground.
The actor added: âI was confused, unable to understand why I was suddenly being treated like a criminal.
âCalmly, I explained that I was a performer returning from a show, but one officer yelled, âget to the floor or Iâll pepper spray youâ.
âMoments later, three more officers ran at me. They pepper sprayed me, kicked my legs out from under me, threw me to the ground and handcuffed me.
âIn a flash, I was face-down on the pavement with multiple officers holding me down, forcing my head into the ground.
âI was already injured from the show, but having four officers on top of me worsened my injuries to my back, ribs and stomach.â
Loose Women star Brenda Edwards, who is the director of the show Richards was starring in, also alleged he had been âracially profiled and violatedâ.
An IOPC spokesperson said: âOur investigation into the incident on Fulham Palace Road, West London on September 4 is ongoing.
âThe investigation is looking into the use of force by Met Police officers during the arrest of a man, who was later de-arrested.
âIn November, we advised an officer that they were under criminal investigation for the potential offence of common assault.
âThe same officer is also being investigated for potential gross misconduct and a second officer is being investigated for potential misconduct.
âThis does not mean that disciplinary or criminal proceedings will necessarily follow.
âAt the end of our investigation, we will decide whether any officers should face disciplinary proceedings and whether any referral should be made to the Crown Prosecution Service.â
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. Weâve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who arenât really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So thatâs why weâve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate â and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about â people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Letâs get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article