Police officer who punched man in the face cleared of misconduct

By David Hunter

A police officer who punched a man in the face during an arrest has been cleared of misconduct.

Police ombudsman staff examined custody records, photographs and body worn video as part of the investigation.

There was no video of the actual incident at a house in Co.Down in April but the officer admitted hitting the man after he was approached aggressively. 

Investigators say there wasn't enough evidence to back up claims the man was hit several times,or,  that the officer used excessive or unreasonable force.

There was no body worn video footage of the actual incident. However, a video was recorded by officers in another room of the house on which the man could be heard shouting and another male saying ‘don’t be hitting my friend’. This man did not come forward to make a witness statement.

The officer, who was accompanied by a colleague, said the strike was designed to stun the man and avoid an altercation that could have knocked both of them down the stairs. The constable’s account was corroborated by his colleague

A forensic medical officer who examined the constable after the incident found that injuries to his hand were consistent with a ‘one strike’ mark.

Custody records showed that the man declined to attend the medical room and was instead taken to A&E where the examining doctor noted small cuts to the mouth and ‘mild tenderness’ to the jaw.

A dental surgeon the man attended following his release confirmed that a fractured tooth had to be extracted, but said no other teeth were loose.

IMAGE: Police Ombudsman Dr.Michael Maguire.