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Hidden face of police
Justin Davenport, Crime Correspondent08.04.09
THE policeman seen pushing Ian Tomlinson had much of his face concealed by a black material which is issued to riot police.
All officers were issued with flame-proof overalls, padding and Nato helmets, which include flame retardant balaclavas. They carry the same equipment as ordinary police: an extendable baton, handcuffs and CS spray.
All police officers get varying levels of public order training. Those deployed at G20 were a mix of Level 2 and Level 3 trained officers, the most experienced. Level 3 officers are Territorial Support Group members who get specialist riot control training while Level 2 are drawn from boroughs and trained in violent disorder.
The crucial issue that will now have to be determined in any criminal investigation is whether the officer seen pushing Mr Tomlinson to the ground used reasonable force.
Crucially, any decision on possible charges will have to take into account whether there had been any obstructiveness or provocation by Mr Tomlinson before the push.
Reader views (2)
As as ex-MET police, & ex-TSG officer, i really wish the next time there's a large 'demonstration' in London, ALL the TSG officers called in 'sick'. then lets see what people have got to moan about then!
- Karl, london
To whom it may concern. I am currently a serving member of the Metropolitan Police Service.
I would like to correct you on the different public order levels officers are trained to in the Met. These are as follows:
Level 1: This is the highest level in public order training. Level 1 training allows officers to police large scale public order situations (like G20). Level 1 officers' are taught how to contain large crowds and deal with trouble makers using reasonable force if necessary.
These officers who provide the MET's Level 1 response are from the Territorial Support Group (TSG) who conduct regular Level 1 training every 5 weeks. When the TSG are not conducting public order duty they are used in local boroughs to arrest violent criminals who are so dangerous that special tactics are needed to arrest these them.
Level 2: These officers are derived from local boroughs and are sourced from Safer Neighbourhood Teams, Response Teams and Schools' officers. These officers are selected by line managers to do this training and have to attend refresher training twice a year.
Level 2 officers are taught similar techniques as Level 1 officers but are not trained to the same advanced level as they conduct normal police duties on a day-to-day basis and are only called up to do deal with large events.
Level 3: Every new recruit in the MET and the majority of the officers who are not trained to level 1 or 2 are level 3. Level 3 is basically cordon control.
- Patrick Williams, London
