Hampshire Constabulary’s Professional Standards Department is investigating the use of force during an arrest this week after an Isle of Wight Police officer was caught on video seemingly punching a suspect in the face with a clenched fist.
Videos shared with Island Echo and posted across social media appear to show a male being detained outside The George in Newport. During the arrest on Tuesday evening, a male officer is seen to pull back his arm and punch the suspect in the face.
The male suspect, who was on the floor at the time of the assault, shouts out in pain as he is hit. He has since been released from Police custody with no further action.
Hampshire Constabulary has issued a statement regarding the incident confirming that the Professional Standards Department is investigating the matter.
A spokesperson has told Island Echo:
“The circumstances surrounding the arrest and use of force is being reviewed by the constabulary’s Professional Standards Department. It would be inappropriate to comment further at this time”.
Further details about the arrest itself have also been released.
“We were called at 6.55pm last night (Tuesday 20 April) with reports of an assault at The Castle Inn Pub, Newport. Officers attended and a man was arrested on St James Street in connection with this incident.
Article continues below this advertisement “The man, aged in his 30s, was arrested on suspicion of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and obstruct/resist a constable in the execution of duty. He has since been released from custody with no further action in relation to these offences.
“The man was also dealt with by means of community resolution in relation to possession of cannabis”.
Good example set by the police
There is a reason people don’t like police anymore, I think videos like this explain why. He’s already down on the floor with 4 people on top of him, he says “okay” when the police guy shouts “Do as you’re told”, still gets punched in the face. Imagine if a regular member of public did that, I’m sure they would be charged with assault.
police I hope he’s charged and sacked. Absolutely disgusting it happens all the time but it’s your word against there’s. They all close ranks as well to protect these A…holes
GCC I think you should wait for the full facts of what happened and why the officer had too hit out.
I’m sure if that guy had just assaulted your child or a female member of your family then your views would be different.
yep gcc is another snowflake –
when the police have been weakened, as these snowflakes would have it, then the rest of us can take up crime, as we know we won’t get punished.
It was my mum he assaulted !! He deserved everything he got !!
It’s people like you that give the police a green light to do what they want .. he punched the chap end of .. charge the muppet
Absolutely pathetic !! No doubt he deserved a clip around the ear.
What is this world coming too people, you won’t be able to fart without someone suing you soon.
Violence is not the answer!
It is – sometimes…
Yes he did deserve everything he got !! It was my mum he assaulted at the castle inn !! He deserves more if you ask me !!!
i really find it so worrying how unsettled it is on the island at the moment. i really hope this isnt going to be how things are for us in the future. so sad when its such a lovely place to live or visit
I will always support our officers and the thin blue line but you simply can’t do that..
It could be a punch to break a hold the prisoner had on another police officer????
How? He is under three officers.unless he has “go go gadget arms” highly unlikely
It doesn’t look very good in the photo still. But, to be honest the fella they were arresting probably deserved it. I don’t condone Police violence but some of the nasty people they have to deal with it must be very, very difficult. Especially if the low life is making personal threats or spitting at them.
Probably deserved it? People like you are the reason people get away with this sort of thing.
I’m just wondering what the opinions would be if the was a drunken female and not a male.
Our Police Officers often put themselves in danger to protect the public, and they need to use force sometimes to control violent offenders.
like in the u.s.a next there be killing people o they already do
I couldn’t agree more !! It was my mum he assaulted ! If it was down to me I’d of hit him a few more times !
I couldn’t agree more !! It was my mum he assaulted ! If it was down to me I’d of hit him a few more times !
may be if you don’t like how the police treat you ….. don’t do any thing against the law ????!!!! – not saying I agree with him hitting the man ..
I didn’t like the way they treated me, I didn’t break the law
If you cause trouble, resist arrest, asult ANYONE including Police Officers then tough luck plonker you deserve every thing you get. I really hate people like this who cry wolf when someone dealds with them firmly. You break the law you deserve every thing you get looser.
Gbh charge and imprisonment term for 6 years for abuse of position. Absolutely disgusting person. Regardless of the situation with the arrest the office should never punch a detainee.
There is little to no difference between the thugs on the street and some of the boys in blue these days. Shame because some coppers are extremely professional. They do, however, turn a blind eye to scum like this using their fists on suspects.
Wonder how you would cope with some low life saying they are gonna burn your house down, sort your missus out or are spitting in your face?? There are some totally vile low life in the world now. Behave yourself and you’ve got nothing to worry about. Break the law and you get what’s coming to you. Simples!
That’s the job these people sign up for. It’s disgusting behaviour but a professional would handle it in an appropriate manner rather than striking a suspect when the man is on the ground being held down by at least three officers.
Your message is understood but wrong doing is wrong doing. Simples.
So that’s why council tax went up
Offender caused obstruction/resistance to a police officer and doesn’t expect to be taken to the ground for it???? Sorry, but since when do we value suspects/criminals over our police officers?! Have a word with yourselves, we all know you’d be straight on to 999 at the slightest unexpected sound, absolute snowflakes…. Hope he gets banged up
These Officers are putting there lives on the line every day – support them not abuse them
Are you havin A bloody laugh mate , risking their lives on the little isle of wight, the local plod over here are a complete joke, don’t compare them to police forces like the met in London etc who I have 100% respect for!!!!!
I don’t know what led up to this incident and I certainly don’t condone violence but all I will say is I don’t envy the police and what they have to deal with. I know it’s their job, but there are some very unpleasant and nasty people about, especially in recent times, seemingly, and the police have to deal with the worst of them. I would say you’re not likely to have this kind of encounter with the police if you stay within the law though!
No problem, several weeks ago a drunk hit a Police Officer the man was fined ??? And strangely no one took a video of the incident.
The answer is simple if your being arrested “Comply” with the officers instructions, because once you start to fight you’re in the position of a guilty person
“Otherwise why are you resisting ??”
I think there is an offence of resisting arrest ?? If you can’t take it, don’t give it.
I’m pretty sure it’s appropriately 7/8 police on 1 nowdays so why the extreme violence used to be known as bullying and that’s what it looks like,
A police officer is often the first person who will say ‘No!’ to someone without boundaries, who means it and will enforce it.
Police face casual and deliberate violence most days. Sometimes a misjudgement will be made. Whilst wrong, it is understandable.
Here we go again , people who don’t know what was happening or what had happened sounding off.
No this is not right but do we know the facts no we don’t, video can be misleading . Clearly the officer did punch the person but why ? We don’t know , all I know is the dealing I have had with police has always been positive. And clearly a lot of people’s dealing with police on here have not ?
Just one question I have for you
Would you do there Job ?, could you do there Job ?
Yes I could (as it is easy to police the island,easy money) but to be fair they must get a bit bored over here, I think that’s why they over react and get all excited like little kids,at a party, that’s why you get about 10 police vans for 1 drunk bloke, and would I do the job? Probably not but if I did I would do it on the mainland, somewhere I could feel like I make a difference, did you know that the Pompey plod call the island police wooden tops? Why not ask them why?!
Surely the biggest offence is an officer with a man bun ?
Police are allowed to use reasonable force, how was the person being towards the police. They are humans like the rest of us. You don’t punch someone just for the sake of it.
And, god forbid, if someone joins the force because they actually like violence (like someone who likes children joins the priesthood), what then? Should there not be cognisance or at least consideration of it?
SACK HIM NOW and send to prison they love him there
Probably a bit pointless as he would be locked up with the nonces, for his own protection,good idea though,
A few seconds on the video really doesn’t show the whole scene so don’t judge the police officer unless you know the full story !
If there is a problem it will be dealt with but until then don’t judge .
Absolutely disgusting to know just how vile people are on this island. The police are not above any law and have absolutely no reason to assault anyone regardless of the crime. Shame on all who believe this officer was right to punch a man in the face, you should be disgusted with yourselves.
How about the officer gets held down on the floor and let the victim punch the scum in the face, eye for an eye
police are doing that all the time
To much violence from the Newport coppers lately All lives matter, a punch can kill just the same as a truncheon Whatever way you look at this it’s WRONG,!!! Especially from a man that vowed to protect the public, Perhaps they need investigation from the mainland force, They’re all corrupt
I do and have had no problem with the man in over 25 years why what’s he done to you ?
So, let’s assume that the penalty for threatening or assaulting a police officer is a punch to the head. Knowing that, I decide to threaten an officer. Surely I should go to court and be properly dealt with by magistrates or judges even? It’s not an officer’s job to dish out the ‘penalty’ without due process first.
The officer is a thug. No two ways about it.
Sack him.
Strange he’s been released with no further action , is this so he doesn’t press charges for being punched by a officer ?
Yes,it is very very strange, released with out charge, curiouser and curiouser, always two sides to a story me thinks ?????