Independent officers probe police racism claim

IPCC officials will manage the probe into the complaint by West Yorkshire Police’s professional standards department.

The IPCC yesterday issued a statement saying that they had decided to manage the investigation after the case was referred to them by West Yorkshire Police earlier this month.

The man had attended the scene of an alleged assault on his 15-year-old daughter in Dalton Road, Keighley, after being contacted by West Yorkshire Police.

The IPCC statement said the man claims an officer made a racist comment about a man who had allegedly assaulted his daughter.

The man further claims the officer used excessive force, including CS spray, when arresting him subsequently on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly, the IPCC continued.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman confirmed that a man had been arrested and bailed.

IPCC Commissioner Nicholas Long said: “The investigation will look at all the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the telephone contact with the man, the alleged racist remark and the decision to arrest and subsequent use of force.”