Armed Police Officer Filmed Kicking Man in Face at Manchester Airport
A disturbing incident at Manchester Airport has come to light after a video surfaced showing an armed police officer kicking a man in the face as he lay on the ground. The footage, widely shared online, captures the officer pointing a Taser at the man before forcefully kicking him in the face and stamping on his head.
Incident Details
The altercation occurred in Terminal 2, where officers responded to reports of a dispute among members of the public. The video shows the officer using aggressive force against two men. One man, lying face down with an older woman beside him, was kicked and stamped on by the officer. The officer then pointed his Taser at a second man, dragged him to the ground, and struck him on the head.
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Reactions and Investigation
Nazir Afzal, a former chief crown prosecutor, expressed his shock on social media, stating he saw "no justification" for the officer's actions and called for accountability. Greater Manchester Police (GMP) acknowledged the concerns raised by the video and stated that their professional standards directorate is assessing the incident.
GMP reported that the incident led to three officers being assaulted, with one female officer sustaining a broken nose and two others being punched to the ground. All three were hospitalized for treatment. The force emphasized the risk posed by the potential for their firearms to be taken during the assault.
Official Statements
A GMP spokesperson explained: "As the attending officers were firearms officers, there was a clear risk during this assault of their firearms being taken from them. Four men were arrested at the scene for affray and assault on emergency service workers. We acknowledge the concerns of the conduct within the video, and our professional standards directorate are assessing this."
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is aware of the footage and has contacted GMP to make inquiries. However, the incident has not yet been referred to the independent watchdog.
Eyewitness Accounts
Eyewitness Amar Minhas from Leeds described the scene, stating that police approached one of the men, informed him he was a wanted man, and pinned him against a wall. This led to a second man intervening, resulting in a fight during which the police Tasered the man and subsequently kicked him.
Howard Beckett, a former member of Labour's national executive committee, condemned the officer's actions as "the most brutal of assaults" and "thuggery in uniforms."
Public Response
The incident has sparked outrage, with onlookers in the video expressing their shock and demanding an explanation for the officer's actions. Calls for a thorough investigation and accountability are growing as the footage continues to circulate on social media.
Conclusion
As investigations proceed, the actions of the officer involved in the incident at Manchester Airport remain under scrutiny. The event has highlighted concerns over police conduct and the use of force, prompting demands for transparency and justice.