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Police looked to release Bridge bodycam footage

Police said yesterday that they were ready to release officers' bodycam footage of an incident at the Bridge on Saturday evening which has circulated widely on social media in the past few days.

Police chief Damian Kitchen.
Police chief Damian Kitchen. / Guernsey Press

Various versions of the footage are circulating where four officers are arresting a man and taking him to the ground. Incapacitating spray is used, which affects one of the officers, and they are goaded by two friends of the man on the floor.

The force said they were responding to a report of alleged drink-driving from a member of the public and attended at South Side.

Three arrests were made, and one man was charged with drink-driving offences, assault on police, and resisting arrest, while the other two men were released on bail for further enquiries.

Police said that they considered releasing body-worn footage from officers which captures the full exchange leading up to the clips published on social media.

But an official complaint has been received from a member of the public and so the force is now following complaints procedures which, they said, means they cannot comment on or use the footage.

They confirmed that the bodycam film will form part of the court case for the person charged and could be used in relation to other charges and court appearances. They are also interested to see footage captured by others which could be used in evidence.

‘I am committed to being transparent with the community and our officers, and am always willing to quickly answer concerns or issues raised by the public,’ said police chief Damian Kitchen, pictured.

‘While from the briefing I received, I believed there was merit in taking an unusual decision around the early, public release of footage, the receipt of a complaint means I will quite rightly now not do this and will allow due process to continue.’

He praised the work of his officers generally.

‘Police Officers do a difficult and at times courageous job. They have my thanks and support for this, and I am sure they have that of the vast majority of the community.

‘It is also quite right that people can raise concerns and complaints, and when they do I will always ensure a thorough, transparent and professional investigation takes place.

‘It is in everyone’s interests that this happens, and where there is significant public comment and debate I will ensure, as in this case, those issues are looked at quickly.

‘I would ask that comment and information is kept factual and recognises there are often many pieces of a jigsaw to put together prior to any of us having the answer.’

Anyone with additional footage of the incident is asked to email Professional_Standards_and_Counter_Corruption_Unit@guernsey.pnn.police.uk.

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