Two police officers involved in the arrest of Henry Nowak, who was fatally stabbed, are now under investigation for gross misconduct, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) announced Tuesday.
The watchdog will examine whether the Hampshire Police officers breached professional standards by allegedly failing to recognize the 18-year-old student's need for urgent medical help, not acting immediately after he stated he had been stabbed and could not breathe, and for handcuffing him instead of providing first aid.
The IOPC also indicated it would investigate a potential breach of standards relating to 'respect and courtesy' by one officer, who allegedly dismissed Nowak's claim of being stabbed by saying, "Don't think you have, mate."
Nowak was arrested and handcuffed while he lay dying after being stabbed five times by Vickrum Digwa. Digwa falsely claimed to police that he had been racially abused by Nowak, a claim later revealed to be untrue. Digwa was subsequently jailed for a minimum of 21 years for the murder.
The IOPC has been investigating the circumstances of the case for six months. Derrick Campbell, IOPC Director of Engagement, stated that investigators have met with Nowak's family to discuss the ongoing investigation now that criminal proceedings have concluded. He added that the serving of gross misconduct notices does not guarantee disciplinary proceedings, and a final decision will be made at the conclusion of the IOPC's investigation.
Campbell also noted that the incident may have seriously harmed public confidence in the police force, a factor the IOPC will consider.
This case occurred in a local area of Portswood where tensions had been rising in the months prior due to a series of incidents, including protests related to asylum seekers housed in a local hotel. These incidents led to an arson investigation and violent clashes between migrants and protesters. Police had made five arrests and issued five dispersal orders in connection with the protests before Nowak's murder.