West Midlands Police officer accused of kicking and hitting schoolboy suspended after new complaint
A West Midlands Police officer accused of hitting and kicking a 15-year-old boy in an attack caught on camera has been suspended after a new complaint over a separate incident.
Questions were first raised over the officer's conduct when footage emerged allegedly showing him striking a teenager and then kicking the boy while he was down on the floor in Birmingham.
A complaint was made to West Midlands Police over the incident which happened when the teenager was stopped in Melbourne Avenue, Newtown, on April 21.
And now a further complaint has been made involving the same officer, who has not been named, and an incident which happened the day before the Newtown altercation.
That incident happened in Frederick Road, Aston, when two officers stopped a man they suspected was on a stolen bike.
The suspect was detained and it is alleged the officer assaulted him before he was released with no further action.
The officer involved in both incidents has now been suspended and the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating.
The conduct of the second officer involved in the Aston incident has also been referred to the IOPC.
A spokesman from West Midlands Police said the force's professional standards department had already referred the Newtown incident to the IOPC and immediately suspended the officer when the second complaint was made.
IOPC regional director Derrick Campbell urged any witnesses to get in contact with investigators.
He said: "We are aware that the footage circulated on social and other media has caused significant public concern.
"We have decided to carry out an independent investigation into the conduct of the officer following a voluntary referral made to us by West Midlands Police.
"We will be carefully examining the circumstances of the incident and the officer’s use of force.
"We have begun to gather information to determine what took place, and our investigators would like to speak to anyone who was present and witnessed the events.”
Anyone who witnessed the April 21 incident is urged to contact the IOPC on 0800 092 2434 or email newtown@policeconduct.gov.uk.
