A police force has received instructions to review the conduct of its officers following an incident where a boy’s chin got impaled on a fence while he was being restrained.
Rocco Kirkpatrick, a 15-year-old teenager, sustained injuries requiring plastic surgery when he was held by Suffolk Police in Lowestoft in June. The incident occurred during the First Light Festival on June 21, where officers intervened to manage escalating tensions in the crowd just before 10 pm.
After being taken to the hospital, an internal inquiry concluded that the officers did not use excessive or unlawful force causing the injury. However, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) deemed the investigation as not reasonable and proportionate and has ordered a re-examination of the case.
The IOPC has directed the police force to gather testimonies from Rocco and the involved officers. This decision came after an appeal by Rocco’s mother, Jade Kirkpatrick, who raised concerns about the handling of the complaint.
The family’s solicitor, Iain Gould, expressed satisfaction that the case is being revisited but raised concerns about the same detective constable leading the reinvestigation. He emphasized the need for a thorough and unbiased inquiry to address the matter appropriately.
Suffolk Police has assigned a senior investigating officer to conduct a fresh investigation into the handling of the incident.
