Western Mail

Probe into officer’s comments

- LYDIA STEPHENS Reporter lydia.stephens@walesonlin­e.co.uk

SOUTH Wales Police has launched an internal investigat­ion after allegation­s that one of its officers told a man he would “make up” finding drugs on him.

Video footage of an incident, which happened on May 14 in Penrhys, Rhondda, was captured by a passer-by.

In the footage, a police officer can be heard saying: “I will explain to you what it was, okay, if you want, I’ll make it up, butt, and say you were seized bloody with 10 bags of white powder.”

The officer continues: “But that’s not it.”

The passer-by, who wishes to remain anonymous, described the behaviour as “shocking”.

The eyewitness said: “I was just walking past and I was filming and I heard what the officer said and I thought it was way out of order.

“He shouldn’t have said what he said, they should be ashamed.”

The video has been shared on social media.

Responding to the video, South Wales Police said on its Twitter page: “The footage has been reviewed and we recognise the seriousnes­s of the comments which appear to have been made.

“An investigat­ion is under way by the Profession­al Standards Department and we have voluntaril­y referred the matter to the Independen­t Office of Police Conduct.”

A spokesman from the force confirmed the matter was being investigat­ed.

He said: “South Wales Police’s Profession­al Standards Department has voluntaril­y referred this matter to the Independen­t Office of Police Conduct and we are awaiting a response from them.”

A still from the video taken by a passer-by

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