A police officer who allegedly punched a handcuffed man in the face has resigned from the force after being hit with criminal charges.
The officer faces counts of assault and perverting the course of justice following a formal complaint from a man arrested for a driving offence.
The Independent Police Conduct Authority oversaw the investigation after the complainant alleged he was struck while restrained in handcuffs.
The officer resigned from the police shortly after the incident was reported.
The criminal prosecution follows findings that the officer allegedly encouraged a colleague to give a false account of the altercation to investigators.
