Officer 'not suspended' after strike row

A police officer who appeared to hit a man in a wheelchair during an arrest has not been suspended from duty, the constabulary has said.

Video emerged on social media of the incident, which showed the officer apparently striking the man outside a shop in Great Yarmouth at about 17:15 BST on Monday.

The wheelchair user, who has been charged with two offences, appeared in court on Wednesday morning.

The force said: "The officer is not suspended at this time while the IOPC (Independent Office for Police Conduct) fully assess the incident."

It also confirmed that the officer was not currently at work.

'Public concern'

Following the footage being shared online of the altercation outside the Londis shop on St Peter's Road, Norfolk Police said it was carrying out an investigation into the officer's conduct and was also referring the incident to the IOPC.

As part of its own inquiry, the force has sent the case to its Professional Standards Department and said it was both examining the circumstances and reviewing the officer's body-worn camera footage.

"We recognise the public concern around the level of force used in this incident and this will form part of our investigation," said Ch Insp Matt Dyson, the local policing commander.

Police said Michael McQueen, 37, of Hall Quay, Great Yarmouth, would appear in front of Norwich magistrates in connection with the case.

He has been charged with assaulting an emergency worker and using threatening, abusive, insulting words or behaviour.

Mr McQueen did not enter pleas and elected to have a trial by jury.

He will appear at Norwich Crown Court on 19 June and was granted conditional bail.

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