Major Henry Nowak case update as two police officers face investigation
Two Hampshire Police officers are under investigation for gross misconduct after handcuffing dying teenager Henry Nowak despite him begging for help and telling them he had been stabbed. The 18-year-old, who was from Chafford Hundred in Essex, was attacked in Southampton on December 3 last year by Vickrum Digwa. He told officers he could not breathe and that he had been stabbed, but the officers ignored his pleas and failed to realise he was fatally injured.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct said it is investigating potential failures by the officers to take action when he said he had been stabbed and could not breathe, and the decision to arrest and handcuff him instead of providing first aid. Evidence suggests that the two officers may have potentially breached the professional behaviour standards of duties and responsibilities, use of force, and discreditable conduct. One officer is being investigated for potentially breaching conduct standards by dismissing the teenager's claim that he had been stabbed. The other is being examined to determine whether race or religion played a part in the officers' decision-making.
Henry was in his first year of study for accountancy and finance at the University of Southampton. Video footage captured by police body-worn video was released after the trial, allowing the public to see Henry being placed in handcuffs moments before he became unconscious and subsequently died. This led to protests in Southampton that spiralled into violence. Multiple police officers were injured during clashes with protestors, with at least 28 people arrested for offences including violent disorder and assaulting a police officer.
IOPC director of engagement Derrick Campbell said: "We continue to extend our deepest sympathies to Henry's family and friends. Our investigators met with Henry's family earlier this month when we were able to discuss our investigation with them in depth now that criminal proceedings have concluded. Two officers will now face gross misconduct investigations." He added that "the serving of gross misconduct notices does not necessarily mean that disciplinary proceedings will follow."