Scots cop suspended over allegations he assaulted teen in handcuffs after making arrest

A policeman has been suspended over allegations he broke a teenager’s nose and jaw by punching him while in handcuffs.

The incident is understood to have taken place in the Edinburgh area in the last two weeks after the 17-year-old was ejected from a bus for being drunk.

The officer has been accused of detaining the victim but then assaulting him when he began lashing out.

It is alleged the policeman then took the boy home to his parent’s house rather than to a police station due to his injuries.

An investigation is also understood to be looking at the accuracy of details on documents relating to the arrest.

Police Scotland has confirmed an investigation has been launched and the matter has been referred to the Professional Standards Department (PSD).

A source said: “The incident has come to light after the parent’s of the teenager involved made a complaint.

“The boy has clearly been acting up and lashing out but officers are expected to be able to deal with these situations professionally.

“There are a number of restraint techniques that can be deployed but you can’t punch someone in the face while in handcuffs as is alleged to have happened here.

“The accusation is that the officer has panicked after realising the teenager’s injuries and decided not to take him into custody and instead take him to his parents house.

“It is alleged that he then misrepresented the incident in paperwork, so this is serious stuff.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We have received a complaint and the circumstances have been referred by Police Scotland’s Professional Standards Department to the Police Investigation and Review Commissioner.”

The alleged assault is the latest in a string of scandals at Police Scotland.

In April it emerged two senior detectives were suspended over claims they leaked information to an organised crime gang.

The men are believed to be part of Police Scotland’s Organised Crime and Counter Terrorism Unit.

A major inquiry has been launched into the claims which focus on the Scottish Police College at Tulliallan, Fife.

Several addresses across central Scotland have been raided as part of the probe which is being led by the PSD.

The PSD investigates complaints from the public about officers’ conduct and probes allegations of criminality and corruption within the police.

A total of 15 officers were sacked or resigned from Police Scotland in 2023 after facing gross misconduct charges.

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