Two police officers who responded to the fatal stabbing of 18-year-old Henry Nowak in Southampton are facing gross misconduct investigations after they handcuffed him instead of administering life-saving first aid, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has confirmed.
Officers Ignored Dying Teen's Pleas
Henry Nowak was attacked on December 3 last year in Southampton. When officers arrived, he told them he had been stabbed and could not breathe, but they failed to recognize his life-threatening injuries. Instead, they handcuffed him as he lay dying.
The IOPC said it is investigating potential failures by the officers to realize that Henry needed urgent medical attention, to act when he said he had been stabbed and could not breathe, and the decision to arrest and handcuff him rather than provide first aid.
One officer is also under investigation for potentially breaching conduct standards by dismissing Henry's claim that he had been stabbed.
Race and Religion Factors Under Scrutiny
The watchdog is examining whether race or religion played a role in the officers' decision-making. The killer, Vickrum Digwa, had falsely told police that Henry had attacked him in a racist incident, when in fact Digwa had fatally stabbed the teenager.
IOPC director of engagement Derrick Campbell said: “We continue to extend our deepest sympathies to Henry’s family and friends. Our investigators met with Henry’s family earlier this month where we were able to discuss our investigation with them in depth, now that criminal proceedings have concluded.”
Gross Misconduct Notices Served
Campbell added: “We are obliged to constantly review the evidence obtained throughout our investigations and assess any indications of potential misconduct for officers involved. As a result, two officers will now face gross misconduct investigations.”
He noted that “there is clear evidence that public confidence in the force may have been seriously harmed by this incident, and that is a factor we must consider when assessing the evidence.”
The IOPC stressed that the serving of gross misconduct notices does not necessarily mean disciplinary proceedings will follow. At the conclusion of the investigation, a decision will be made on whether any officers should face disciplinary proceedings.
