A police officer who told a member of the public that he would ‘make something up’ to justify an arrest is being investigated for gross misconduct, it has been confirmed.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) was notified about the actions of two Lancashire Police officers after footage of the incident in Accrington emerged in April.
One of the officers involved has now been told he is under investigation for gross misconduct.
A second officer has been notified that he is under investigation for misconduct for an allegation that he did not challenge or report the conduct of the first officer.
During the incident, on April 17, footage shows an officer aggressively challenging Adam Kidger, 24.
Adam Kidger (above) was seen on film being aggressively challenged by a police officer in Accrington, Lancashire, on April 17. The officer, who told Mr Kidger that he would ‘make something up’ to justify an arrest, is now being investigated for gross misconduct
In the video, Mr Kidger (left) – who claimed he had gone out to buy a quad bike – is heard saying to an officer (right): ‘You’re harassing me, what for? I’ve done nothing wrong’
Mr Kidger claims he was pulled over in his car in Accrington, Lancashire, after going out to buy a quad bike.
In the video, the young man is heard saying: ‘You’re harassing me, what for? I’ve done nothing wrong…’
While failing to adhere to social distancing and maintain a two-metre distance, the officer shouts at him: ‘Sit in your car and shut up.’
The police officer then adds: ‘If you want to f***ing step to me, and push your chest out and something like that then fine, I’ll lock you up. We’ll do that, shall we?’
When Mr Kidger then protested his innocence, insisting he had done nothing wrong, the police officer added: ‘I’ll make something up. Public order. Squaring up to a police officer. Shall I do that?
‘Who are they going to believe – me or you? Who are they going to believe – me or you?’
Speaking shortly about the incident, Mr Kidger said the officer had wrongly accused him of stealing the quad bike and ‘just lost it’.
‘He came right up to me and started shouting. He wasn’t even two metres apart like he should have been,’ he said.
During the incident, one of two Lancashire police officers at the scene is seen surrounded by youths. One of the officers involved has now been told he is under investigation for gross misconduct. A second officer has been notified that he is under investigation for misconduct for an allegation that he did not challenge or report the conduct of the first officer
When Mr Kidger protested his innocence, the police officer added: ‘I’ll make something up. Public order. Squaring up to a police officer. Shall I do that? ‘Who are they going to believe – me or you?’ Following the circulation of the video, Lancashire Police voluntarily referred the matter to the IOPC on April 20
‘He was so angry he was spitting in my face. I think he was just annoyed because I had all the paperwork for the bike and could prove it wasn’t stolen. That’s why he threatened to lock me up for something else.’
Following the circulation of the video, Lancashire Police voluntarily referred the matter to the IOPC on April 20.
The IOPC said it had subsequently received a complaint about the conduct of the officers, which will be considered as part of their investigation.
IOPC Regional Director Amanda Rowe said: ‘I recognise that this incident has caused concern in the local community and, understandably, has raised questions about the conduct of the officers.
‘It is our role to independently investigate the matter to ensure the officers are accountable for their actions and to identify if any broader lessons could be learned.
‘This work is underway, and is progressing well. Lancashire Constabulary, and the two officers, are co-operating with our enquiries.
‘We have spoken to the man who was stopped by the officers, and we will keep him regularly updated on this investigation.’
The serving of a notice is not an implication of guilt, but to inform an officer that their conduct is under investigation.
Lancashire Police have already apologised to the man involved.