West Yorkshire Police officer suspended after Halifax arrest video appears to show detainee struggling to breathe

West Yorkshire Police issued a statement this morning (August 18), after the video was posted on social media showing a man being arrested in Halifax on Sunday (August 16).

The video reportedly shows two officers pin the man to the ground while an officer shouts at him.

The force said that the incident had now also been referred to police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Osman Khan said: “We are aware of a video circulating showing the arrest of a man at Spring Hall Gardens, Halifax on Sunday 16 August in relation to assault offences.

"We immediately reviewed the footage and looked into it as a matter of urgency to establish the full circumstances.

“We have reviewed the actions of the officers involved and a referral has been made to the Force’s Professional Standards Directorate.

“Our investigation remains ongoing and we have made a voluntarily referral to the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC). The officer involved has been removed from frontline operational duties.

“The man arrested was released under investigation.”

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