A MAN has lost his complaint against the police for badly breaking his arm when he was arrested for drunk and disorderly.

Shaun Norris claimed an officer used excessive force to apply an arm lock on Milhams Street in Christchurch last July 4.

Mr Norris argues the CCTV, now on the Daily Echo's website, supports his claim that he was not aggressive or resisting arrest.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission said the injury was "regrettable" but cleared the officer of any misconduct or excessive use of force.

Mr Norris, a 23-year-old maintenance and handyman from Purewell, suffered a spiral fracture of his right distal humerus (an area of bone on the upper arm, near the elbow) and spent 10 days and hospital and had two operations.

He said he cannot lift heavy objects, play golf properly, and is too worried another the injury to play football.

He was given a dispersal order for rowdy behaviour after getting drunk during the Christchurch Festival. He said he accidentally walked back into the area as he tried to go home.

CCTV footage captures four police officers speaking to him then giving him a penalty notice, then two officers trying to handcuff him after he lurched into one of them.

Mr Norris said he slipped into the officer after trying to lean on a window.

"Obviously I was a bit annoyed they were giving me a ticket but I wasn't being lairy," he said. "I was just swearing and saying 'Why? Why?'"

The statement from the police constable said that after Mr Noris made contact, he decided to use an entangled arm lock.

The PC said Mr Norris' was resisting arrest, that they "flailed around all over the place", and that he feared that he would fall on his face or be injured by Mr Norris.

The officer said he "regretted" the injury but it was accidental. He had used the arm lock 4-5 times and found it a useful way of manoeuvring drunk people.

Mr Norris now has a long scar and a tattoo above it reading 'Courtesy of Dorset Police'.

He said: "I don't think the officer meant to do it. But he definitely used too much force. Everyone that's seen the tape has said there was no need for it.

"I didn't want the officer to go to prison. But I lost my job. I still haven't got full sensation in part of my hand."

A Dorset Police spokesman said: "While we regret the complainant received a serious injury, there is no evidence to indicate officers used excessive force.

"The complainant was informed of this decision on 16 February 2011 and given an opportunity to appeal to the IPCC. No appeal was received within the time limits set by the IPCC (28 days)."