IPCC finds misconduct case to answer for West Midlands Police officer over baton strike

13 May 2016 01:29 PM

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has completed its investigation into an incident at an Aston Villa/Birmingham City football derby during which a man was injured by a baton strike from a West Midlands Police officer.

The IPCC investigation concluded that the Police Constable involved had a case to answer for misconduct as a result of the strike. West Midlands Police has since decided the officer will receive management words of advice as well as retraining in first aid and the use of force.

The IPCC investigation began after a 44-year-old man filming a police cordon on his mobile phone complained that excessive force had been used on him outside Villa Park on 22 September last year (2015).

The IPCC’s investigation included interviews with the complainant and police officers along with evidence gathered from examination of police body worn footage, CCTV and the injured man’s mobile phone.

The officer who was the subject of the complaint described the situation as volatile and feared for his own safety and that of colleagues. He stated that he had used his baton when momentarily blinded by light from an unknown source. The overhead baton strike knocked the light source from the man’s hand and the supporter sustained a hand injury.
   
The IPCC is now publishing its investigation report.