What started as an ordinary night out took a disturbing turn when a police officer’s behavior at a club ended in violence.
New CCTV footage has revealed the exact moment a 30-year-old off-duty officer, Tyler McWalter, assaulted a clubgoer by choking him unconscious.
The incident occurred around 2:30am on September 14, 2023, at Kika Beach Bar in Weymouth.
Vape Smoke and Eye Contact Spark an Ugly Scene
The video, which has now been made public, shows McWalter—vaping casually—standing near the club’s security team while a man, Charlie Pottow, was having what looked like a tense conversation with them.
Instead of remaining a bystander, McWalter blew a large puff of vape smoke directly into Pottow’s face while maintaining intense eye contact.
That moment caused an immediate escalation. McWalter shoved Pottow, who pushed back.
What followed was chaos.
The Chokehold That Knocked a Man Out
Things got physical fast.
Security staff rushed in to break things up, but before they could take control, McWalter aggressively wrapped his arm around Pottow’s neck and choked him until he blacked out.
The grip was so forceful that staff had to physically pull McWalter off.
Pottow was left with a hemorrhage in his eye, bruising around his throat, and ongoing pain in his neck.
The Emotional and Legal Fallout
The impact of the attack didn’t stop at physical injuries.
Pottow later revealed that the experience gave him symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
His statement, read in court by prosecutor David Fosler, explained that he now suffers from a severe fear of crowded places.
Even worse, knowing his attacker was a police officer completely shattered his confidence in law enforcement.
Mental Health Concerns Raised in McWalter’s Defense
In court, McWalter’s defense attorney, Kevin Hill, shared that his client had been dealing with anxiety and depression at the time of the attack.
He was reportedly on leave from work due to these mental health issues.
At the time, McWalter had only recently joined Dorset Police and was also pursuing a degree in policing.
Judge’s Verdict: Actions Inexcusable Despite Circumstances
While sentencing McWalter to eight months in prison, District Judge Anthony Callaway acknowledged that McWalter had previously maintained a clean record and was dealing with personal issues.
However, the judge emphasized that none of those factors justified his violent behavior.
He noted that Pottow, who appeared to be in a dispute with security staff, was a stranger to McWalter—and the officer had no reason to get involved, let alone physically assault him.
Judge Callaway firmly stated that the CCTV footage made it clear McWalter had indeed blown smoke in Pottow’s face, contrary to his denial.
The judge described the incident as distressing and highlighted the physical and emotional toll it took on the victim.
Dismissed, Barred, and Ordered to Pay
Following the conviction, McWalter was dismissed from his role at Dorset Police without notice and placed on the national police barred list.
He has effectively lost his policing career.
In addition to the prison sentence, he was ordered to pay a victim surcharge.
What’s Next?
This incident raises broader concerns about the behavior of those entrusted with public safety—even when off-duty.
While justice was served in this case, it leaves behind important questions: How should police departments monitor the mental health of their officers?
What systems are in place to prevent personal struggles from turning into public harm?
And how can the public rebuild trust when those meant to protect become aggressors?
For now, McWalter begins serving his sentence, and Mr. Pottow continues on his road to recovery—physically, emotionally, and mentally.