The chief constable of Greater Manchester Police has said he “deeply regrets” the shock and upset caused by footage of a police officer kicking a man in the head during an arrest at Manchester Airport.
In an appeal for calm this evening (July 26), Chief Constable Stephen Watson said the force was committed to contributing to an investigation into the incident by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
A video widely shared on social media was recorded on Wednesday (July 24) inside Terminal 2 of the airport, showing a GMP officer kicking and stamping on the head of a man lying face down on the ground, with a woman kneeling next to him.
According to the police, three of its officers were attacked, including a policewoman who suffered a broken nose. Four men were arrested at the scene.
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Today, the IOPC confirmed that the officer shown in the phone footage is under criminal investigation for assault. It was stressed that this does not necessarily mean that criminal charges will follow. But the watchdog confirmed that once its investigation is complete, a decision will be made on whether to refer the case to the Crown Prosecution Service.
This evening, Chief Constable Stephen Watson issued a new statement, calling for calm following a wave of protests following the incident. Protesters gathered outside the office of Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and temporarily blocked trams from running in the city centre.
CC Watson said: “It is a source of deep regret that this week’s incident at Manchester Airport has caused shock and upset in some of our communities. Throughout this week, senior officers have met with community representatives to ensure their voices are heard and this will continue – we are in tune with the best instincts of those calling for calm.
“While we are compelled to publicly release additional information or footage about the incident due to the conduct and criminal investigations, we are committed to providing the fullest practical assistance to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.”
The IOPC said it would meet “a number of community leaders” in Rochdale later today to “listen to their concerns and explain our role”. The officer, whose name has not been released, has been given “a disciplinary notice advising him that he is under investigation for potential serious misconduct for a number of alleged breaches of police professional standards, including his use of force”.
A statement released today said: “The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has informed a police officer that he is the subject of a criminal investigation into the force used during an incident in which a number of men were arrested at Manchester Airport on Tuesday 23 July.
“We today, Friday, informed the Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officer that he is the subject of a criminal investigation for assault. We have also issued the officer with a disciplinary notice to advise him that he is the subject of an investigation for potential serious misconduct for a number of alleged breaches of police professional standards, including his use of force.
“The service of the notices does not necessarily mean that criminal proceedings will be brought. At the end of our investigation, we will decide whether to refer the matter to the Crown Prosecution Service for a determination of the charges against the officer and whether he should face disciplinary proceedings.”
