Body-worn camera footage has captured a tense arrest in Gloucester, where a suspect bit a police officer’s leg during an incident last month. Gloucestershire Police have released the video to provide a clearer picture of the event, which had sparked debate after a separate public video showing the officer’s use of force surfaced on social media.
The police force emphasized that the widely shared clip lacked audio and did not reveal the critical detail that the suspect, 39-year-old Luke Goodhall, was biting the officer at the time. The newly released bodycam video includes audio in which the officer can be heard shouting for the man to stop biting him. According to police, Goodhall responded by laughing and dismissing the officer with a derogatory remark.
A warning accompanies the release, noting that images of the officer’s injury may be distressing to some viewers.
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Following a thorough review, Gloucestershire Police’s Professional Standards Department concluded that the officer’s use of force—strikes aimed at restraining Goodhall—was necessary, proportionate, and lawful. The force noted that while the use of force can cause public concern, viral videos often present an incomplete narrative.
At the time of the arrest on February 17 on Eastgate Street, Goodhall was on licence after his recent release from prison. He was initially detained for an alleged assault on another person but was subsequently arrested for biting the officer and attempting to knee a second officer during a search.
Goodhall, from Cheltenham, later admitted to two offences at Cheltenham Magistrates' Court. He received a nine-month prison sentence for assaulting the police officer and a concurrent six-month sentence for common assault of an emergency worker. Due to committing these offences while on licence, he will serve the remainder of his previous sentence along with the new terms.
The officer involved, who has served for 11 years, expressed relief that the full incident has been made public. He stated, “Transparency and integrity are essential to improving trust between police and the community. While it’s unfortunate I was injured, I hope this openness fosters better understanding of use of force and decision-making.”
Gloucestershire Police highlighted that although most incidents are resolved peacefully, officers sometimes must use force to ensure their safety and that of others.
Temporary Inspector Adam Williams, Gloucestershire Police Federation’s branch chair, condemned the online vilification of officers based on one-sided videos. He praised the Constabulary’s thorough evaluation and public support for the officer involved, calling it a fair response to the incident.