Officer has now been suspended over Halifax arrest video, West Yorkshire Police confirms

A police officer has been suspended from West Yorkshire Police over a video appearing to show a man struggling to breathe while being arrested

West Yorkshire Police initially confirmed the officer had been withdrawn from on the ground duties and a referral had been made to police watchdog IOPC in a statement issued earlier this morning (Tuesday).

The action was in response to a video circulated online of a man being arrested in Halifax on Sunday.

Two officers can be seen detaining the man on the ground, with one shouting and appearing to use an unnecessary amount of force.

Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Osman Khan of West Yorkshire Police 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 voluntary referral to the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC). The officer involved has been removed from frontline operational duties."

An update issued by police this afternoon said: "Further to this statement the officer has been suspended from the force."

The man arrested in the video has been released under investigation.