The recent incident at Manchester Airport, where a police officer was seen kicking and stamping on a man while he was on the ground, has sparked widespread outrage and concern. The video footage of the incident has been widely shared on social media, and many have expressed shock and dismay at the officer’s actions.
The incident occurred on July 23rd, when police were called to reports of an assault at Terminal 2 of the airport. According to the police, the alleged suspect was seen on CCTV at a ticket machine in the car park, and officers attended the location to arrest him. However, during the arrest, three officers were assaulted, and one female officer suffered a broken nose.
The police have since removed the officer involved from operational duties, and an investigation is underway. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has also been notified, and an investigation is being conducted into the police’s response to the incident.
In a statement, Waugh said: “The video footage of a Greater Manchester police officer kicking and stamping on a man in Manchester Airport is truly shocking and disturbing. Like many who have seen this clip, I am extremely concerned. I have had it confirmed that the man arrested is a Rochdale resident and I have talked to his family this evening. I plan to meet them in person tomorrow.”
Waugh also expressed his concerns about the police’s response to the incident, saying: “It’s right that the police officer concerned has been removed from duties and that this incident has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct. I expect a thorough and swift investigation. The police have said that while trying to arrest a suspect, three of their officers were attacked. They said that one officer suffered a broken nose and all three needed hospital treatment.”
The police have also released a statement, saying: “We know that a film of an incident at Manchester Airport that is circulating widely shows an event that is truly shocking, and that people are rightly extremely concerned about. The use of such force in an arrest is an unusual occurrence and one that we understand creates alarm. In advance of what is shown in the footage available, we were called to reports of an assault at Terminal 2 Manchester airport at 8.25pm on Tuesday 23 July. The alleged suspect was seen on CCTV at a ticket machine in the car park and officers attended the location to arrest him. During our response, three officers were assaulted. One female officer suffered a broken nose and the officers were forced to the ground and suffered injuries which required hospital treatment. One male officer has been removed from operational duties and we are making a voluntary referral of our policing response to the independent office of police conduct. Two men have been arrested on suspicion of assault, assault of emergency worker, affray, and of obstructing police. Two other men have been arrested on suspicion of affray and assault of an emergency worker.”
The incident has also raised concerns about the treatment of suspects by police officers, and many have called for greater training and accountability measures to be put in place. The police have said that they are taking the incident seriously and are conducting a thorough investigation.
In conclusion, the incident at Manchester Airport is a shocking and disturbing example of the use of force by police officers. The video footage of the incident has sparked widespread outrage and concern, and many have called for greater accountability and transparency from the police department. The police have removed the officer involved from operational duties and are conducting a thorough investigation, and the Independent Office for Police Conduct has been notified. The incident highlights the need for greater training and accountability measures to be put in place to ensure that police officers are held to the highest standards of conduct.
Some potential actions that could be taken in response to this incident include:
1. Continuing to monitor the situation and gather more information about the incident.
2. Providing support to the man who was arrested and his family.
3. Demanding a thorough and transparent investigation into the incident.
4. Calling for greater accountability and transparency from the police department.
5. Advocating for policies and procedures that prioritize de-escalation and minimize the use of force.
6. Providing training to police officers on the use of force and de-escalation techniques.
7. Implementing measures to improve the treatment of suspects by police officers, such as body cameras and independent oversight.
8. Conducting regular reviews of police policies and procedures to ensure that they are effective and fair.
9. Providing support to police officers who are struggling with the demands of their job and may be at risk of using excessive force.
10. Encouraging community engagement and dialogue between the police and the public to build trust and improve relationships.
It is important to note that the incident is still under investigation, and more information may come to light as the investigation continues. However, it is clear that the incident has raised serious concerns about the use of force by police officers, and it is important that the police department takes steps to address these concerns and ensure that its officers are held to the highest standards of conduct.