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Major unit takes over inquiries into police video

Lewis Adams
Nadine Buzzard-Quashie believes the real reason officers detained her was to remove highly sensitive material she was carrying that could damage another police force

Inquiries into why police failed to hand over body-worn video of an arrest have been taken over by the Independent Office for Police Conduct's (IOPC) major investigations unit.

Nadine Buzzard-Quashie alleges her face was shoved into stinging nettles by Northamptonshire Police officers who stopped her car in September 2021.

A legal battle to obtain footage of the incident resulted in the force being fined £50,000 for withholding it.

Northamptonshire Police said a programme of improvements relating to staffing, performance, governance and training was being developed, adding: "We are committed to addressing the issues highlighted by the Court of Appeal."

The IOPC has been investigating the force's engagement with the courts and whether it provided "inaccurate statements" about the incident.

"The case is being handled by our major investigations unit, and we are working our way through inquiries," an IOPC spokesman added.

News imageLaurence Cawley/BBC Portrait of Nadine Buzzard-Quashie, lit from both the left and by a catchlight on her hair, which is dark.Laurence Cawley/BBC
Buzzard-Quashie is pursuing a seven-figure damages claim against the force for assault and wrongful arrest.

A high-ranking police officer and two staff members are already being investigated for allegedly perverting the course of justice in connection with the footage.

They are also under investigation for potential gross misconduct.

"The serving of notices does not necessarily mean disciplinary or criminal proceedings will follow," the IOPC spokesman added.

The battle for the arrest video has already led to Ivan Balhatchet, the county's chief of police, being found in contempt of court in November.

It started when Buzzard-Quashie, from London, requested it under the Data Protection Act in September 2021.

Northamptonshire Police repeatedly refused to disclose it, even when ordered to by the courts, prompting her to take legal action against Balhatchet.

The video, published exclusively by the BBC, showed Buzzard-Quashie, who had been reported missing, being wrestled prone onto the ground by two officers.

The findings of a separate review into what, how and why Northamptonshire Police failed to hand over the footage are due to be published in December.

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