A Metropolitan Police constable is under criminal investigation after a mother was wrongly arrested for bus fare evasion in Croydon in July, the Independent Office for Police Conduct said.
The IOPC launched an investigation in August shortly after footage of the incident was widely circulated online.
On Monday morning the police watchdog said the officer under investigation will be interviewed under criminal caution in due course and faces potential criminal offences related to racially aggravated assault and false imprisonment.
Video of the incident showed her being held by two male officers in Croydon on July 21, while her child could be heard crying in the background.
Police said she had refused to show her ticket to inspectors, a community support officer and constables and "continued to try to walk away".
As the woman's arms were being held, she was heard shouting in the footage "what the hell, what are you doing, what the f*** is going on".
Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said in August that the woman was immediately de-arrested and the cuffs removed when it was confirmed she had correctly paid the fare.
In a statement the IOPC said: "We have secured and reviewed evidence including officers’ body worn video footage and CCTV footage from the bus the woman exited shortly before her arrest.
"IOPC investigators have also obtained accounts from the woman involved and police staff present and will be speaking with the Transport for London inspectors.
"An MPS constable has recently been advised that they are being investigated for potential criminal offences related to racially aggravated assault and false imprisonment. The officer is also being investigated for potential breaches of the police standards of professional behaviour at the level of gross misconduct."
IOPC regional director Mel Palmer said: “The decision to conduct a criminal investigation is not something we take lightly and was made after careful consideration of the material we have gathered to date, including liaison with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
“It’s important to emphasise that this development does not necessarily mean that criminal charges or disciplinary proceedings will follow.
“At the conclusion of the investigation, we will decide whether to refer a file of evidence to the CPS for a charging decision and also decide whether any officers should face disciplinary proceedings.
“Representatives for the woman and the officer have been advised of this update and we will keep them informed throughout our investigation.”
