LONDON (AP) – A London police officer was suspended and another received restricted duties on Friday after video of an arrest appeared to show an officer kneeling on the neck of a black man.
Images from the arrest in North London on Thursday show two officers holding the handcuffed man. At the start of the 2-minute, 20-second clip, one of the officers appears to be pressing the man’s neck with his knee. The officer’s hand is on the man’s head, which is on the pavement lying on its side.
“Get off me … get off my neck”, you can hear the man fighting screaming in the video that appeared on social networks. “I haven’t done anything wrong, take off your neck.”
One of the two officers asks, “Are you going to be good?” They tell him to stay down.
The incident was referred to the Independent Office of Police Conduct, which oversees complaints related to the police forces in England and Wales.
“” The video I saw today and circulating on social media is extremely disturbing, “said Metro Police Deputy Commissioner Steve House.” I understand that many viewing the images will share my concern. “
The police department said in a statement that the two officers were responding to a report of a fight. The statement says the man was arrested on suspicion of a fray and possession of an offensive weapon, and that he has been seen by a police doctor.
“Some of the techniques used cause me great concern,” House said. “They are not taught in police training.”
London Mayor Sadiq Khan raised questions about what happened to senior officials.
“I appreciate the fact that the Met has quickly reviewed the incident and it is correct that it was referred to the IOPC,” said Khan. “I expect a quick and thorough independent investigation, with all decisions made public.
Police in many cities are under increased scrutiny after George Floyd’s death following his arrest in Minnesota on May 25. A police officer who held his knee against Floyd’s neck for almost eight minutes, Derek Chauvin, was charged with second-degree murder.
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