Suffolk Police has been instructed to review the conduct of its officers following an incident where a teenager’s chin got impaled on a fence during a restraint. The incident involving Rocco Kirkpatrick, 15 years old at the time, occurred at the First Light Festival in Lowestoft in June. Following a confrontation in the crowd, officers removed him, leading to the injury that required plastic surgery.
An internal investigation concluded that the injury was not due to excessive force by the officers. However, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) deemed the investigation insufficient and ordered a reexamination. The IOPC directed the police to gather statements from Rocco and the involved officers.
The decision came after an appeal by Rocco’s mother, Jade Kirkpatrick, who challenged the investigation’s thoroughness. Notably, the family’s solicitor expressed satisfaction with the reopening of the case but raised concerns about the original investigator’s involvement, calling for a comprehensive and unbiased inquiry.
Suffolk Police has assigned a senior officer to conduct a fresh investigation into the handling of the incident. This development follows criticisms of the initial investigation process and calls for greater transparency and accountability within police complaint systems.