A police officer who was filmed appearing to repeatedly punch a man while arresting him has been suspended, North Wales Police has said. The force confirmed news of the officer’s suspension on Friday evening after the footage emerged and spread across social media on Wednesday.
North Wales Police said on Thursday that an investigation had been launched to look into the incident which concluded in the arrest of a 34-year-old man in Porthmadog in Gwynedd. In the video seemingly recorded by a resident one officer has his arm around the neck of the man and is then seen hitting him nine times.
The man is then seen with what seems to be injuries to the face before he is put into the back of a police vehicle. On Friday North Wales Police confirmed in a short statement that the officer had been “suspended from duty”.
The update reads: “We can confirm that the officer involved has been suspended from duty. The IOPC (Independent Office for Police Conduct) is leading the investigation and we are therefore unable to provide any further information. In relation to the man arrested we can confirm that he was released on bail.”
On Thursday the IOPC said in its own statement: "We became aware this morning (Thursday) that a video of the incident was being shared widely on social media. North Wales Police subsequently referred the matter to us. We understand that officers arrested a man at an address after being called to a domestic incident. We have been advised that the man was taken to hospital for treatment after the arrest before being transferred into custody."
IOPC Director David Ford said: “Footage on social media, capturing part of the interaction between police officers and the arrested man has, understandably, attracted significant interest and public concern. It is important that we thoroughly and independently investigate the whole incident, in order to establish whether the level of force used during the arrest was reasonable and proportionate in the circumstances.”
Read next:
- Adam Price's full statement as he tells Plaid Cymru members he is quitting
The new life of Josh Navidi as he takes on very different career
Dad who dealt drugs to finance daughter's eye surgery in tears as he faces judge
Family have had eight cars written off since they moved to Newport street
Primary school issues warning as pupil has 'cardiac episode' after drinking Prime energy drink
