CCTV footage appears to show the 22-year-old student, identified only as Samuel, being repeatedly struck by the officer while lying face-down on the ground.
Samuel claims he was attacked after stopping on Barrack Road in Northampton to give change to a homeless person. He reported seeing a man in a hoodie running towards him and began to flee, but stopped when the man identified himself as a police officer.
The footage shows Samuel slowing down and turning to face the officer, who then slams him against a wooden fence and tackles him to the ground. The officer is seen delivering three blows to Samuel’s side before another officer arrives to help handcuff him.
In a social media video, Samuel describes being “beaten up” and “treated like an animal” despite his compliance, suffering bruised ribs and a bleeding knee. He was taken to a police station, subjected to an “enhanced search,” and then released.
Samuel claims he was forced to strip and squat in front of officers, describing the experience as “degrading.” Northamptonshire Police stated that Samuel was seen exchanging a package suspected to be related to drug supply but was released with no further action following a “negative search.”
The force has referred the case to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) and is conducting an internal review of the incident, including bodycam footage. Samuel has filed complaints with Northamptonshire Police and the IOPC, seeking disciplinary action against the officer involved and questioning whether his treatment would have been different if he were not from an ethnic minority.
A spokesperson for Northamptonshire Police confirmed awareness of the online CCTV clip, stating that the stop was made after observing a suspected drug exchange. They acknowledged the concerns raised and are reviewing the incident internally, including assessing the officers’ body-worn video.
