Hampshire Police officers who handcuffed a dying teenager are not currently being investigated for misconduct, though one has resigned. Henry Nowak, 18, was restrained as he bled to death from knife wounds in Southampton last December, while his killer Vickrum Digwa watched on.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) confirmed that none of the officers involved have been referred for a misconduct investigation, but the probe remains ongoing. The case was automatically referred as a Death or Serious Injury case, which is mandatory when someone dies following police contact. No misconduct complaint has been made by the family.
One female officer has left the force since the incident, but she was not among the two officers shown in body-worn footage released on Monday. All remaining officers are still carrying out frontline duties. If any are referred for gross misconduct and found guilty, they could face dismissal.
In the footage, Henry pleads "I've been stabbed" and an officer replies "I don't think you have mate." He is handcuffed while saying "I can't breathe" multiple times. Digwa, who lied about being the victim of a racist attack, was jailed for life for murder. The IOPC plans to meet with Henry's family in the coming weeks.
