WIREDGOV

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating the use of force by a West Midlands Police officer during the arrest of a man in Wolverhampton. Video footage from the incident has been released widely through social media.

We have now served notices to a police constable telling him he is under criminal investigation and that he is also under investigation for gross misconduct in connection with the incident at a residential property in Penn on 16 February this year.

Our investigation began after the force voluntarily referred a complaint to us about the incident. We have established that police were responding to a reported disturbance at the property that evening, which led to a man being arrested.

IOPC Regional Director Derrick Campbell said: “The footage showing a man being struck to the head while handcuffs were being applied is disturbing and I am conscious of the impact on public confidence in policing such an incident can have.

“We need to understand the full circumstances and our independent investigation is looking at whether the use of force by the officer was necessary, reasonable and proportionate.”

Mobile and police body worn video footage will be reviewed as part of our investigation, witness statements have been gathered and   accounts are to be obtained from the officers involved.

The decision to inform an officer they are under criminal investigation means evidence indicates a criminal offence may have been committed. This does not necessarily mean criminal charges will follow. Likewise, the serving of a misconduct notice does not mean disciplinary proceedings will necessarily follow.