A cop who repeatedly punched a man in the head during an arrest has been reported to the police watchdog. North Wales Police has confirmed that the officer has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
Footage of the incident on Wednesday, May 10, was shared on social media, and appeared to show a 34-year-old man being grabbed by his neck by the officers and punched a number of times in the head, reports North Wales Live.
North Wales Police confirmed that the victim was taken to hospital for treatment and then transferred into police custody, and that the incident is being "fully investigated".
In a tweet on Thursday, Chief Constable Amanda Blakeman said that the footage is being taken "very seriously" and that the matter has been referred to the IOPC.
Responding to a tweet by Gareth Davies MS, the Chief Constable wrote: "I’ve seen the footage this morning and I take this very seriously. There is an investigation ongoing so we can understand the incident fully and we have referred the matter to the IOPC."
An IOPC spokesperson said: “We became aware this morning of a video shared on social media showing an incident in Porthmadog involving a police officer. We have now received a referral from North Wales Police which is being assessed to determine what action may be needed by the IOPC.”
Local politicians Liz Saville Roberts MP, Mabon ap Gwynfor MS and Porthmadog councillor Nia Jeffreys have also sent a joint letter to the Chief Constable following the incident.
It reads: "Constituents have drawn our attention to a video posted on Facebook showing two police officers restraining a man. The incident took place outdoors in a residential area in the Porthmadog area.
"Although we do not know the details of the event or whether the man has been arrested or charged we contact in order to express concerns of constituents that the video appears to show one of the police officers using excessive force.
"Can you tell us whether or not restraint methods used have the approval of North Wales Police and what steps you will take to reassure the public that they can trust the police given that a number of people have taken to social media to say that they were horrified by the contents of the video?"
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