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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
National
Nicole Mitchell

Enquiries ongoing after video shows police officer 'body slamming' pupil to ground

THE father of a schoolboy who was "body slammed" to the ground by a police officer says he was "absolutely sick" when he saw footage of it.

The incident took place at a secondary school in Glasgow on Wednesday (April 26) following an alleged fight between two pupils. 

The officer was filmed grabbing hold of the youth and appeared to throw him on the ground before falling on top of him. 

The father of the boy told the Daily Record he was "sickened to the core" by the footage and has made a formal complaint to Police Scotland about the alleged excessive use of force. 

He said: "When I saw the video, I was sick. Absolutely sick.

"You don’t expect anyone to do that - even a stranger out in the street - never mind a police officer doing that to a child, especially your own child.

"I knew it was bad. I just didn’t realise it was that bad. It’s sickening to the core.

"You can’t explain why anyone would do something like that.

"From the footage, you can see him goading my son while he’s got him pinned on the ground.

"It was like he was trying to get another reaction from him. I was really, really angry that he had done that to not just my son, but just a child."

He added: "He body slammed my son. He had no control over the action whatsoever.

"I did mention his training on that and he said he was the method they’re taught."

Police confirmed enquiries are ongoing into the incident.

A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: "We have received a complaint and enquiries are ongoing.

"We are unable to provide any further detail."

Referring to the initial alleged altercation between pupils, a spokesperson for Glasgow City Council said "appropriate action" was taken at the school.  

They said: "Our schools will not tolerate violence and the appropriate action has been taken by the headteacher in relation to the original scuffle that involved a number of young people."

It is understood a 41-year-old man has been charged in connection with a breach of the peace and is the subject of a report to the Procurator Fiscal following the incident.

A 14-year-old boy has been charged in connection with an assault on Wednesday, April 26, and has been referred to the Early and Effective Intervention Co-ordinator. 

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