The State’s Corruption watchdog has published another report into excessive use of force by WA police in Fremantle, releasing confronting footage of a man being repeatedly struck by officers.

A Corruption and Crime Commission report looked at an incident in September 2017 when a man named only as “Mr Wells” was approached by officers outside a hotel in Fremantle.

The CCC details how when the man lit a cigarette officers sought to take it from him and a struggle ensued and he was forced to the ground, with officers making multiple blows to his head. Officers also deliberately bent back Mr Wells’ finger to the point of dislocation while he was handcuffed and apparently compliant.

The ugly scuffle was caught by security cameras in the mall and released by the CCC as part of its report.

Mr Wells was initially charged with assaulting a public officer but the charges were discontinued after concerns were raised about the conduct of the officers.

The CCC said police internal affairs initially opted not to look at the case after the man declined to lodge a complaint, but confirmed internal affairs was now looking at the episode.

The CCC report said the agency had formed opinions of misconduct against two officers involved in the incident for excessive use of force: Sergeant Nathan Trenberth and First Class Constable Julian Donohoe.

Sgt Trenberth resigned before police internal affairs completed its investigation. Constable Julian Donohoe has been referred to the police Independent Review Panel for consideration of loss of confidence proceedings.

WA Police have been forced to defend a series of episodes in the Fremantle district in recent years. Last year the CCC released a report on the use of tasers by officers in Fremantle, again releasing confronting footage.