Just scanning police officers opinions on reddit, unlike OC posters not a single officer sees this as acceptable. They reckon the officer will be fired and probably goto prison. A selection of police officers comments:
Police Officer (unverified)
Just stomped his career away there, I’d say.
Police Officer (verified)
His freedom you mean. He’s going to prison for this.
SomewhereExtra8667
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19h ago
International Law Enforcement (unverified)
Very much doubt prison but definitely charged and fired
Special Constable (verified)
It being in the UK, prison in this case is very likely I’d say.
Police Officer (unverified)
Not much information available on this at the moment as it looks like this only happened an hour or so ago, but I can see a few clues in the video. Unarmed officer starts crying part way through the video, and her hair is all messed up. I suspect she was assaulted at some point before the video starting and the 2 armed officers were responding a backup shout.
With all that being said, kicking and stomping someone to the head who's clearly under NMI from the taser shot is impossible to justify. Career-ending move for sure and probably an assault conviction.
Ex-Police/Retired (unverified)
It is. Total loss of control.
The officer has a taser, a pistol, a baton, handcuffs, open hand techniques and an incapacitant spray as tactical options and his choice is to boot the first guy in the face and stomp on him before kicking and pistol whipping the second with the taser.
Yet again no context for the video, despite this, very difficult to justify kicking someone to the head in most circumstances, especially when they are laying face down.
Police Officer (verified)
Yet again no context for the video, despite this, very difficult to justify kicking someone to the head in most circumstances, especially when they are laying face down.
Special Constable (verified)
Indeed. For all he knows, he could have been one kick away from a murder charge
Not just facedown, it looks to me likes he's still under the effect of the taser given how he's laying on the floor
Police Officer (unverified)
Job loser, that. Can't think what made him do that kick. Definitely not an OST technique and definitely goes against everything you've ever been taught
Police Officer (unverified)
Yet everyone on the UK Cop Humour Facebook page (including themselves most likely) seems to be supporting the actions of the officer
Absolute red mist moment from the officer. I just can’t see any justification for that level of force, given that the first guy is under NMI and prone on the floor appearing to offer absolutely zero threat, and the second bloke who is on his knees with his hands behind his head who gets a kick in the leg and a few digs to the back and head.
I hate to be an armchair critic, especially as we’re all in the same boat here, but this is absolutely deplorable.
Detective Constable (unverified)
Im betting that guy had just seen a female officer get assaulted in a nasty way, probably knew her. He's seen red.
Doesn't justify it, but does explain it.
I would like to think I'd act in a more controlled way.
Police Officer (unverified)
I have been a police officer for a very long time. And I genuinely can’t see any justification for this.
Not from what I see anyway. They were on the floor.
A kick, strike, or whatever if they’re approaching you sure. I’d accept that. But they were face down on the floor and he took a step back as if it were a rugby ball.
Doesn’t sit right with me - see what PSD say.
Detective Constable (unverified)
If it wasn't obvious enough, you can clearly tell he's absolutely lost it when he pistol whips the second chap on the floor with his taser and is shaking his fist in his face. Whether we like it or not, red mist could happen to us all if we see our best mate have their nose broken - not justifying it at all, but it's one of them where you can see why he lost it (and by it I also mean his job).
Police Officer (unverified)
This is a difficult watch.