A formal investigation into police conduct has been initiated after disturbing footage emerged online, appearing to show an officer using significant force during an arrest in Birmingham.
Video Prompts Internal Investigation
The incident occurred on Hangleton Drive in the Small Heath area on the afternoon of Thursday, December 4. A short video clip, which has been widely shared on social media and via WhatsApp, captured the moment an officer detained a young man.
The footage shows the officer, who has already handcuffed the male, dragging him to the ground. The officer is then seen standing over the individual while communicating via his police radio. Subsequently, the officer lifts the detained man to his feet and moves him towards a marked police vehicle.
Details of the Circulating Footage
The most contentious part of the video shows the handcuffed man being propelled towards the side of the police car. He collides with the vehicle before falling onto the road surface. BirminghamLive has confirmed that multiple complaints were submitted to West Midlands Police, alleging that the officer involved used excessive force during the arrest procedure.
Police Force's Official Response
In response to the circulation of the video, a spokesperson for West Midlands Police stated: "We're aware of a video circulating on social media that appears to show a police officer detaining a man in Hangleton Drive, Small Heath on Thursday afternoon."
The force confirmed that the matter has now been escalated internally. The spokesperson added: "This matter has been referred to our police standards department for assessment as is standard procedure." This referral indicates the start of a professional standards probe, which will examine the officer's actions against force guidelines and the law.
The launch of this investigation underscores the force's accountability procedures when such footage enters the public domain. The outcome of the police standards assessment will determine whether any further disciplinary action is required.
