Two Police officers have been suspended from their operational duties after allegedly assaulting a father and putting him in hospital.

Victim Troy Smith suffered a broken nose, two broken cheekbones, a broken bone above one of his eyelids and a sprained jaw after the alleged assault early Sunday morning. Deputy Commissioner Mike Jackman, would not comment on the incident and said the matter was pending a criminal investigation.

Mr. Jackman said: "Now that we are aware of the full extent of the injuries suffered by Mr. Smith, we have commenced a full investigation that will look into the circumstances.

"However we recognise that there are two sides to the story and we urge the public not to rush to judgement on this matter.

"The officers will be treated as innocent and given the support of senior management inclusive of welfare. However the officers will be removed from full operational duties until the investigation is completed."

According to BPS, Mr. Smith was "acting in a violent manner" and "turned his violence towards the Police". He then needed to be subdued using a Taser device.

But speaking from his hospital bed this week, Mr. Smith told The Royal Gazette he was trying to stop a dispute between his mother and cousin, when Police came after him.

The 28-year-old admitted he raised his voice and picked up a little stick to beat his cousin with for causing trouble. He said he tried to tell Police he wasn't responsible for the spat but the officers shot at him with the Taser.

One officer approached him with pepper spray, while the other beat him about the left side of his body, Mr. Smith claimed.

The father of five-year-old Tasia underwent two hours of surgery this week to mend the bones in his face and will need to see a specialist to find out if there is any permanent damage.

He is now at home recovering with his family.

BPS called a press conference yesterday following interviews with Mr. Smith in this paper and on the television news.

Mr. Jackman said the Island's Police officers were faced with an unprecedented level of danger as they carried out their jobs.

And he said that officers have been "dedicated and courageous in performing their duties" and were given safety equipment so they could protect themselves if necessary.

"We provide our officers with high levels of training so that they use the available officer safety equipment in a manner that is consistent with our policies and is in compliance with Bermuda's law.

"We teach our officers how to use the officer safety equipment based on a use-of-force system so that they determine the appropriate level of response.

"We also have systems in place to review how we use force and to provide remedial training if officers do not comply with our policies and Bermuda laws."

According to Mr. Jackman, the "good thing" about Taser guns is whenever one is used there is camera footage that goes along with it, which will be looked at in this case.

Mr. Smith's lawyer Graveney Bannister said the family was expected to file a grievance yesterday with the independent Police Complaints Authority.

The BPS said they would "liaise with the authority to apprise them of the investigation" and once that was complete would "send the file to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for advice".

For the time being the two officers will be not be conducting operational duties or dealing with members of the public.

If the investigation finds they were in the wrong they could be handed an array of punishments, including dismissal.