An armed officer who was filmed kicking a teenager in the face as he lay prone on the ground is facing possible criminal charges, the police watchdog has said.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said on Friday it was exploring a criminal prosecution against the unnamed officer, who has been suspended by Greater Manchester police.

The officer is being investigated by the IOPC over his use of force on 19-year-old Muhammed Fahir as well as his use of Pava spray on a second man at Manchester airport on Tuesday night.

Footage of the incident has provoked widespread revulsion and triggered two nights of protests in Rochdale and Manchester.

The IOPC regional director Catherine Bates said: “We can confirm we are conducting a criminal investigation into the use of force during events which took place on 23 July at Manchester airport. We are arranging to interview a police constable under criminal caution as soon as possible.

“I have today met one of the men who was involved and his family members to outline our investigation and we will continue to update them and Greater Manchester police as our inquiries progress. We will be speaking to the man involved in the second incident as soon as we can.

“The family has asked me to reiterate their call for peace and wish to stress that they do not condone any acts of violence as a result of this incident.”

Paul Waugh, the Labour MP for Rochdale, on Friday said the “traumatised” family wanted to make clear they had “no political agenda whatsoever” and called for “calm in all communities”.