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G20 'attack' officer is suspended
15.04.09
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A police sergeant filmed hitting out at a woman during the G20 protests has been suspended.
Scotland Yard is facing fresh allegations of brutality during the week of the summit in London after video footage on YouTube showed an officer swiping at the female with his hand before apparently hitting her across the legs with a baton.
The evidence was passed to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), a Yard spokesman said.
"The officer has been identified and suspended pending further investigation. The officer works as a sergeant in the territorial support group," the spokesman said.
The Met said the matter raised "immediate concerns" as it announced the IPCC, which is already probing the death of Ian Tomlinson, would launch an inquiry.
Labour MP David Winnick condemned what he said was "outright police brutality" while Shami Chakrabarti, of Liberty added: "It is very difficult to understand what justifies a gargantuan police officer assaulting a smaller woman for having the audacity to complain.
"It is no doubt a pressure cooker environment, however highly-trained professionals are supposed to be better at defusing the situation."
David Howarth, Liberal Democrat justice spokesman, called for a "full-scale inquiry".
He said: "The fact that this video shows another example of an officer with his number obscured assaulting a member of the public indicates that there is a systematic problem here, not just a series of individual acts of misconduct. The question is on my mind whether the police are using a some kind of 'designated hitter' system."
Reader views (5)
There was no riot, just a legal organised protest. Our authoritarian government object to it and used the police to impose their (the governments) will.
Once this government politicised the police, they exposed the police into carrying out actions that were against the will of the people.
The police under the old rules operated with the will and cooperation of the people. As an instrument of government this has all changed.
- Ian, Reading, England
We always hear of small groups of protesters that just want to pick a fight... What about the police officers who also do the same. I'm sure most police are in the job for the right reasons, but it seems a lot are bully’s who get off on the power they are given. Unfortunately it seems there is a system in place to cover-up and blatantly lie which protects these people. I personally do not trust the police and would certainly never consider helping them in an investigation, not until a complete overhaul of the policing system.
- Paul Byrne, London
You seem to miss the point Nick Nack Paddy. The Police are required to act within the law. End of.
- Chrisr, Rocheste
At least the Met has acted quickly, but now I think a full inquiry about the Territorial Support Group, or should that be Special Patrol Group is ordered.
- Paul Jakes, Maidstone UK
Lefties riot, cause mayhe, and attack the police at G20, who is to blame? The police of course. Regardless of gender or race, you riot and attack police, force will be used to stop them. The country is a joke.
- Nick Nack Paddy Mac, Kilburn, London UK
