Manchester Police have been criticised by a former Met Police detective after a "ghastly snapshot" into their officer conduct went viral on social media.
A video of an officer appearing to kick and stamp on the head of a detained man at Manchester Airport quickly circulated online, triggering the police force to intervene.
In a statement, Greater Manchester Police said: "One male officer has been removed from operational duties and we're making a voluntary referral of our policing response to the Independent Office of Police Conduct."
As a result of the incident, four people were arrested at the scene for "affray and assault on emergency service workers".
A Manchester Police officer has been 'removed from duty' after the incident went viral on social media
X / GB News
Reacting to the footage on GB News, former Scotland Yard detective Peter Bleksley criticised the conduct of the officers involved and claimed that this has "damaged the trust" people have in the police.
Bleksley explained: "In terms of trust and confidence that the public may or may not have in the police, the damage is already done.
"Whilst it is only a snapshot of what were clearly violent events, this is a dreadful look and yet another problem for the beleaguered Greater Manchester Police."
GB News host Ellie Costello argued that although the footage of the incident shows a "distressing" altercation, the "full context" of the situation remains unknown.
A Manchester Police officer was seen appearing to kick and stamp on the head of someone being detained
X / kashahmed77
Bleksley agreed with Ellie, explaining: "This is just a mere snapshot of what were clearly violent events that led to a number of arrests.
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"There was clearly a backstory to this. The story has built up, but we don't get to see that. All we get to see is this really ugly snapshot, which does look ghastly, but we don't know the backstory."
When asked by Ellie what the next steps for Greater Manchester Police will be, Bleksley said there will be an investigation conducted, but warned it could take "months" to get the answers needed.
Bleksley told GB News: "It may take months for this Independent Office of Police Conduct investigation to take place.
"Sadly, their investigations often take a very long time and of course, the damage is already done."
Peter Bleksley said the 'damage is already done' to the trust people have in the police
GB News
Discussing the evidence that the investigation will need to gather, Bleksley noted that "context is everything" in incidents involving police conduct.
Bleksley said: "Context is going to be very important to this investigation. In what context did this officer use the force that we see? It's only by establishing the backstory and the context will the IOPC be able to make a judgment call on whether the use of force was reasonable or proportionate.
"Now, looking at this snapshot, I don't think anybody is going to say it was reasonable and proportionate. But when all the back story is gathered, body cam footage, CCTV from the airport, it will be smothered in CCTV, the full picture can be painted.
"Then, and only then, will the IOPC make a judgment call on how to progress the case."
