One of the officers involved in the restraint of a dying teenager is no longer with the police force, although there is currently no official misconduct investigation ongoing for the officers involved.
Hampshire Police faced criticism for handcuffing Henry Nowak, 18, as he bled from fatal knife wounds while the perpetrator, Vickrum Digwa, observed the scene. The resignation of one officer linked to the incident has been confirmed by the police department.
Following a false claim made by Digwa at the stabbing site last December, Henry was restrained. Video footage, released with consent from Henry’s family, captures him alerting the officers about being stabbed, with one officer dismissing his claim.
Henry sustained stab wounds, including a fatal one to his heart, from an 8-inch blade that Digwa carried due to his Sikh beliefs. Watchdog investigators are scheduled to meet with Henry’s family in response to public outrage over the handling of the situation.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) mentioned that none of the involved officers have been referred for misconduct proceedings yet, although the investigation is ongoing. The case was automatically escalated to the IOPC as a result of the serious injury and death criteria.
While a female officer has departed from the force post-incident, the remaining officers, including the ones in the released body-worn footage, are still actively serving in frontline duties. In case of gross misconduct findings, the officers could potentially face job termination.
During the footage, as Henry pleads for help, the officers seem to downplay his injuries and proceed with handcuffing. Despite Henry’s repeated statements about being stabbed and struggling to breathe, the officers’ response appears inadequate.
As the IOPC continues its investigation, officers present at the scene are currently considered witnesses. The IOPC director, Derrick Campbell, acknowledged the public concerns and stated the ongoing review of extensive body-worn camera footage and other evidence.
Following the conclusion of criminal proceedings, the IOPC plans to update Henry Nowak’s family on the progress of the investigation. Hampshire Police reiterated the resignation of one officer in connection with the case and clarified that the remaining officers are considered witnesses and are not subjected to any current restrictions.
