A police officer caught on camera threatening to 'make something up' to arrest a man has been allowed to keep his job.
Video footage of Adam Kidger being quizzed by two officers in Accrington, Lancs emerged last April, LancsLive reports.
During the clip, Mr Kidger can be heard saying: “You're harassing me. What for? I've done nothing wrong.”
A male police officer then replies: “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?”
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After Mr Kidger responds by again protesting his innocence, the officer replies: “I'll make something up. Public order, squaring up to a police officer. Shall I do that?”
The officer then adds: “Who are they going to believe, me or you?”
The incident happened on April 17, during the first lockdown, in Coach Road.
Lancashire Police referred the incident to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) and later apologised to Mr Kidger for what the force described as “completely unacceptable” behaviour.
The IOPC confirmed the officer was being investigated for gross misconduct but has now revealed in an update that he has been given a written warning.
Possible outcomes for gross misconduct include dismissal without notice, dismissal with notice, a final written warning, written warning and management advice.
A second officer, who was investigated for misconduct after failing to challenge the first officer or report the incident, was found to have no case to answer.
The IOPC said in an update published online: “During our investigation, which was completed in December, we obtained accounts from the two police officers involved in the incident as well as the complainant and one other man who was there at the time.
“We reviewed the video footage and a number of other police witnesses provided statements. Neither of the police officers were wearing a body-worn video camera.
"We found that when police arrived, they found themselves blocked by a van and a car.
“The complainant was one of four men present at the time who were requested to move the vehicles. Only part of the interaction between the police officer and the complainant was caught on camera.
“We found one officer had a case to answer for misconduct. At a misconduct meeting in May he accepted breaching the standards of professional behaviour in respect of: integrity; discreditable conduct; authority, respect and courtesy; use of force; and duties and responsibilities. He was given a written warning.
“The other officer whose conduct we investigated was found to have no case to answer.”
