Met officer investigated for assault after Floyd-style arrest
Daily Telegraph Reporter
A SUSPENDED Scotland Yard officer is under investigation by the police watchdog for common assault and gross misconduct after appearing to kneel on a man’s neck during an arrest which mirrored George Floyd’s.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct is looking into the manner of the arrest of Marcus Coutain, 48, who was filmed pleading with officers to “get off my neck” as he was handcuffed on the pavement in Islington, North London, last month.
Mr Coutain, who is black, was subsequently charged with possessing a knife in a public place. He has called for a formal apology from Scotland Yard and for the Crown Prosecution Service to drop the charge. The IOPC said it will also investigate whether he was treated differently because of his race.
One Metropolitan Police officer was suspended and another placed on restricted duties over the incident on Isledon Road, Islington, on July 16.
Sir Steve House, Scotland Yard’s deputy commissioner, has described the footage as “deeply disturbing” and said some of the techniques, which are “not taught in police training”, caused him “great concern”.
Launching a witness appeal, the IOPC said: “One officer has been advised that they are subject to a criminal investigation for common assault and investigation for gross misconduct on use of force, authority, respect and courtesy, discreditable honesty and integrity.
“A second officer has been advised they are subject to a misconduct investigation on challenging and reporting improper conduct, authority, respect and courtesy and honesty and integrity.”
Sal Naseem, IOPC regional director, said: “We are independently examining whether the use of force and the stop and search on this occasion were appropriate and proportionate in line with approved police policies.
“We will also investigate whether the officers treated the man differently because of his race.”
‘We are examining whether the use of force and stop and search were appropriate and proportionate’