Investigators: police officers unjustifiably used force against a 19-year-old, sprayed gas in his face and choked him. They will answer for exceeding their powers

The Bolesławiec District Prosecutor’s Office has filed an indictment with the District Court in Kamienna Góra against 37-year-old Wiktor S. and 26-year-old Kamil B., police officers from the Jawor County Police Headquarters, accused of exceeding their official powers by unjustifiably using direct coercive measures during an intervention involving the 19-year-old victim, violating his bodily integrity and unlawfully depriving him of his freedom.

– The investigation established that on June 8, 2024, at approximately 1 a.m., in Bolków, the accused stopped the 19-year-old victim, who was driving a Fiat Panda, for a routine traffic check. According to them, he had allegedly exceeded the speed limit – reports Ewa Węglarowicz-Makowska, press spokesperson for the Jelenia Góra District Prosecutor’s Office. – During the intervention, the victim did not behave aggressively or provocatively toward the officers. His behavior in no way posed a threat to them.

Nevertheless, as the investigators established, the police officers unjustifiably used physical force against the teenager, grabbing his arms, pulling him and dragging him out of the vehicle.

Spokesperson:

Once the victim had left the car, the accused tore his mobile phone away to prevent him from making phone calls, and then used direct coercive measures against him in the form of a handheld incapacitating gas sprayer, spraying him in the face, as well as a neck hold and choking. The use of these coercive measures resulted in the victim briefly losing consciousness and falling to the ground. They also prevented him from leaving the scene.

Investigators: – There was no known reason for their intervention involving this driver. Ultimately, the police officers issued him a fine not for speeding, but allegedly for failing to comply with orders concerning specified conduct issued by a police officer.

The accused did not admit to committing the alleged acts. They refused to provide explanations. They face up to five years in prison.

Both were suspended by the head of the Jawor County Police Headquarters. They had no previous criminal record.