Independent Commissioner against Corruption Ann Vanstone QC said in a statement this morning that the Director of Public Prosecutions charged the two officers on March 22 with one count of aggravated assault each, following an ICAC investigation into the matter.

The incident, alleged to have occurred on the morning of October 19, 2019, happened after several police patrols became involved in the pursuit of a man suspected to be driving a stolen car.

After the suspect fled on foot, the Director alleges police located the suspect and directed the man to raise his hands and lie on the ground – which he did.

“It is alleged that a 35 year old male police officer from Valley View then kicked the man a number of times to the torso,” the ICAC Ann Vanstone QC said.

“It is also alleged that shortly afterwards another male police officer, a 35 year old from Lightsview, approached the man where he was handcuffed and seated on the ground, and forced the man’s head to come into contact with the concrete footpath.”

Vanstone said the alleged offences were aggravated because of the “abuse of the officers’ positions of authority”.

The two officers will appear before the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court on April 21.