Key facts
- Two police officers are under gross misconduct investigation by the IOPC.
- The investigation relates to the death of Henry Nowak, 18, who was stabbed in December 2025.
- Officers allegedly failed to recognize Nowak needed urgent medical attention and handcuffed him instead of providing first aid.
- The probe will also assess if race or religion influenced officers' actions and decisions.
- Vickrum Digwa, who stabbed Nowak, has been convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment.
Two police officers have been placed under investigation for gross misconduct by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) in connection with the death of Henry Nowak. Nowak, 18, died in December 2025 after being stabbed by Vickrum Digwa. Digwa had falsely told police he was the victim of a racist attack, leading officers to handcuff Nowak and treat him as a suspect, despite Nowak stating he had been stabbed and could not breathe.
The IOPC has expanded its investigation to consider whether race was a factor in the officers' actions, following meetings with Nowak's family and a formal complaint. The watchdog will examine if officers' decisions were influenced by assumptions or prejudice related to community tensions at the time, and whether the race or religion of Nowak or Digwa impacted their conduct.
According to the IOPC, evidence suggests the two officers, who were first on the scene, may have breached professional standards. These potential breaches include failing to recognize Nowak's need for urgent medical attention, not acting immediately after he said he was stabbed and couldn't breathe, and arresting and handcuffing him instead of providing first aid. One officer may have also dismissed Nowak's statement about being stabbed.
Derrick Campbell from the IOPC stated that investigators met with Nowak's family after criminal proceedings concluded and reviewed evidence, leading to the gross misconduct notices. He noted that public confidence in the force may have been harmed. The IOPC will also investigate why Nowak was handcuffed while Digwa, arrested for attempted murder, was not. The watchdog will consider if changes to national or force policies are needed.
Vickrum Digwa has been convicted of Nowak's murder and sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 21 years, a sentence that is being appealed as unduly lenient.