Two officers in Henry Nowak case investigated for gross misconduct

Two police officers have been placed under investigation for potential gross misconduct following the death of Henry Nowak, an 18-year-old handcuffed and arrested as he lay dying in Southampton in December 2025.

Nowak was stabbed by Vickrum Digwa, who falsely told police that Nowak had attacked him. Despite pleas that he had been stabbed and could not breathe, officers from Hampshire Constabulary failed to provide immediate first aid and instead handcuffed him as a suspect.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct said evidence suggests the two officers who arrived first may have breached professional standards. The investigation relates to failures to recognise Nowak needed urgent medical attention and to act when he said he had been stabbed and could not breathe. The IOPC is examining whether one officer breached conduct standards by appearing to dismiss his claims.

Digwa was convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years. The case triggered controversy, with critics claiming Nowak's treatment by police stemmed from anti-white bias.

Derrick Campbell, IOPC director of engagement, said: "There is clear evidence that public confidence in the force may have been seriously harmed by this incident and that is a factor we must consider when assessing the evidence."

The IOPC has expanded its investigation following complaints from Nowak's family and will examine whether race or religion impacted the officers' decisions. Nowak's father Mark Nowak highlighted the disparity in treatment, stating his murderer "was afforded decency. He was believed. He was not handcuffed when arrested. He was not handcuffed when transported to the police station. As far as we understand he was never handcuffed at all."