An internal investigation by South Australia Police (SAPOL), overseen by the Office of Public Integrity, has concluded that allegations of excessive force used by a police officer during an arrest in Davenport were “not substantiated.”
⚠️ Viewer discretion: This report contains descriptions of footage that may be distressing.
The inquiry followed the release of two widely circulated videos in November. The first showed a man being forcefully pushed into a wall by a police officer in the front yard of a Davenport property, causing him to fall to the ground. The second video captured the same man being dragged along a concrete path before being arrested.
SAPOL said the investigation addressed two claims of excessive force and one complaint regarding unprofessional language used during the incident. According to a statement released by police, the two excessive force allegations were not upheld, but the complaint about unprofessional language was substantiated.
The officer involved has since resigned from SAPOL, though the resignation was unrelated to either the incident or the inquiry.
“Had the police officer involved not resigned from SAPOL, it is likely they would have been subject to management resolution under the Police Complaints and Discipline Act,” the statement added.
The Office of Public Integrity maintained oversight of the investigation throughout the process.
