A BLACK woman who was punched by a police officer during an arrest has not received an apology. 

Speaking to the BBC, the woman who chose to remain anonymous, said she feared for her life. 

She claims that when she told the police officer that she was being killed, the female officer responded: ‘If you can talk, you can breathe.’

Mobile phone footage shows officers physically restraining the Black woman. 

A female police officer can be seen striking her more than once. 

According to the BBC, the woman who is also a student, was arrested on 9 May this year. 

She was a passenger in a car that officers pulled over in south-east London. 

The student told the BBC that she had been working on an essay when she decided to get something to eat. She ended up going to visit a cash machine with a friend. 

Following the incident, eight officers are being investigated by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

One of these officers is a detention officer, who is being investigated for gross misconduct. That officer is now on restricted duties. 

Another of the officers being investigated for gross misconduct is from the Territorial Support Group (TSG). That officer has also been placed on restricted duties. 

The other officers are being investigated for misconduct because they did not challenge the actions of an officer. 

Police response

A police spokesperson said: We became aware on 30 May of footage in the public domain showing the arrest of a man and a woman after a vehicle made off from police in Lewisham High Street on 9 May.

The man was charged and convicted on 6 July of drink-driving. He is Carlton Ireland, 46 (25.04.74), of The Woodlands, Hither Green.

The woman who had been travelling in the car with the man was charged with obstructing a drugs search. This charge was withdrawn by the Crown Prosecution Service on 10 September.

A complaint was received from the woman arrested. The complaint was referred to the IOPC, who have launched an independent investigation. Since this investigation is ongoing, we are unable to comment in detail about the incident. Further information will be made available when the investigation has concluded.

Rob Atkin, Commander of the Met’s South East BCU, said:

“All police officers are fully aware that they will be asked to account for their actions. Officers are not exempt from the law, and nor would we wish to be.

“The Met continues to co-operate with the IOPC’s investigation team to ensure that all the facts are established.

“In the small minority of cases where force is used, an officer must properly record this and account for why the level of force used was lawful, proportionate and necessary in the circumstances.

“All frontline officers are equipped with body worn cameras so there is a clear and impartial record of interactions with the public. Officers receive regular training to ensure that any force used is appropriate to the often difficult circumstances they face.”