Key Points
- Manchester Police Officer Justin Ketcham has been placed on administrative leave after a cellphone video of an arrest spread on social media.
- The New Hampshire Attorney General’s Public Integrity Unit is investigating the incident after the footage raised concerns about the officer’s conduct.
- The video reportedly shows the officer appearing to stomp on a handcuffed man’s back while the suspect was face down on the ground.
- A second officer also appears in the footage and is seen assisting with the arrest.
- Manchester Police said the case is still under review and that no further information is being released at this stage.
- WMUR’s coverage identifies the story as reported by Joshua Cowan, while Patch also quoted department spokeswoman Heather Hamel.
Manchester(Manchester Mirror)May 08 2026, the Manchester Police Department has placed Officer Justin Ketcham on administrative leave after a cellphone video of an arrest was shared widely online and prompted an investigation by the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office. The footage has drawn public scrutiny because it appears to show a forceful restraint of a man who was already handcuffed and lying face down on the ground.
What happened?
As reported by Joshua Cowan of WMUR, the officer was taken off duty after the video circulated on social media and triggered questions about whether the arrest involved excessive force. Patch, citing department spokeswoman Heather Hamel, said the incident was “partially captured on cellphone video and later, shared on social media,” and that the footage “raised concerns.” According to that report, Officer Justin Ketcham will remain on leave while the Public Integrity Unit reviews the case.
What does the video show?
Patch reported that the video appears to show Ketcham placing the suspect in handcuffs before stomping on his back while the man is on the ground. The same report says Ketcham then kneels on the suspect in an attempt to pin him down, while the man screams, struggles, and asks to be let go. Another officer then arrives, punches the suspect in the leg while trying to secure additional cuffs, and tells him to “Stop grabbing,” according to the report.
What have officials said?
The Manchester Police Department has not released a detailed account of the arrest while the matter remains under review. Heather Hamel said the department would not provide further information at this time because the incident is still being examined. The involvement of the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Public Integrity Unit means the incident is now being handled beyond ordinary internal review.
Who is the officer?
Publicly available reporting identified the officer as Justin Ketcham. Patch also reported that Ketcham was hired by the Manchester Police Department in December 2022 and had graduated from the 186th New Hampshire Police Academy in December 2021. That timeline places him among relatively recent additions to the department, which may intensify attention on how the force handles conduct, training, and accountability questions.
Why is this important?
The case matters because cellphone video has become a decisive public record in policing disputes, often shaping how quickly a department responds to allegations of excessive force. Here, the video appears to have moved the issue from a routine arrest review into a formal investigation and a suspension from duty. It also places Manchester Police under pressure to explain how force was used and whether procedures were followed properly.
Background of development
This latest case comes amid wider public sensitivity around police conduct, body-worn cameras, and citizen-recorded footage in the United States. Manchester police have previously faced public attention in other matters, and the city’s handling of this incident will likely be measured against expectations of transparency and restraint. The involvement of the Attorney General’s office suggests the matter is being treated seriously enough to warrant an independent public integrity review.
Prediction
For Manchester residents, the immediate effect is likely to be heightened scrutiny of local policing and renewed debate over use-of-force standards. If investigators find the officer’s actions were improper, the case could lead to disciplinary action and possibly a broader review of arrest tactics within the department. For the wider public, the incident may reinforce the growing role of bystander video in holding law-enforcement agencies to account.
