Manchester police suspend officer after kicking suspect in head at airport

Jul 25. () –

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) announced on Thursday that one of its officers had been suspended after images and videos circulated on social media showing him stamping on and kicking a suspect in the head at Manchester airport.

The authorities have indicated that, after a “comprehensive review of additional information” about the incident, they have decided to remove the officer from all his duties. The police have stated that they understand the “concern and concern” of the population regarding this episode.

The footage, widely shared on social media, shows a uniformed police officer, holding a taser, kicking and stomping on a suspect lying on the floor of Manchester Airport’s Terminal 2.

On Wednesday evening, dozens of people gathered outside the police station in Rochdale, north of Manchester, chanting “GMP, disgrace!”, according to information collected by the British news channel Sky News.

Before the images were released, a police spokesman had said that officers had been beaten and thrown to the ground after trying to arrest suspects accused of assault and affray, and that their service weapons may have even been taken from them.

The Manchester Police have referred the suspended officer’s case to the Independent Office for Police Conduct for a full independent investigation into the incident, which has also raised political concerns.

Labour MP Paul Waugh has described the incident as “shocking and disturbing” and said he had raised his concerns with the Deputy Chief Constable and local authorities. “It is right that the officer has been removed,” he said.