Tonight:
9°c
Can I have your number please, officer?
Evening Standard17.04.09
A video has been posted on YouTube showing a G20 protester challenging a City of London police inspector to reveal his badge number. This is a full transcript of the exchange:
Protester: Can I have your number then please, sir?
Officer: Bishopsgate police station.
Protester: Say again?
Officer: Bishopsgate police station.
Protester: No, could I have your number please?
Officer: Bishopsgate police station.
Protester: OK - you know it's an offence for you not to identify yourself at least by your number. You don't have to give me your name, but you do have to give me your number. You realise that don't you?
Officer: Bishopsgate police station.
Protester: You know it's a little thing called transparency. It's so people like you can't break the law like you did yesterday. It's so we can identify you when we want to bring cases against lying police officers. Do you understand that?
Officer: Bishopsgate police station.
Protester: Well I know what Bishopsgate police station is, but what is your ...
Officer: If you go there then you'll be able to find out who I am.
Protester: What - do you expect me to stand outside and wait? No. Identify yourself by your police number.
Officer: Bishopsgate police station.
Reader views (9)
Big deal. If the cops have to identify themselves then the protestors/offenders and other bottom dwellers should be required to wear name tags too so the police know who they are when they riot, break windows and burn property!
- Fred, Pinellas Park , Fl. USA
I think you are missing the point Vix!
The problem is that this individual Police officer had deliberately removed his ID number so that it was difficult for him to be identified. He may or may not b based at the police station he recited.
If the police expect the public to obey laws, then they have to set the example by obeying the laws and rules of their job. If they can not, then they are in the wrong job.
Why would they not want to be identified?
- Donk, Letchworth - UK
How arrogant and rude can one man be
? why can this officer not simply politely answer the question he was politely asked instead of inflaming the situation by giving such a cryptic answer
I would expect more courtesy from a serving police officer, as somebody who has always supported the police I am very disappointed by the behaviour we seem to be witnessing of late
- Juliet, london englan
It sounds like a spat from between Othello and Desdemona, from the Shakespeares book of the same name, Othello.
- Jay, Northampton
Peoples comments 'I've lost respect for the police' really do make me laugh. The actions of some individuals should not make us loose faith in the system. Sure the police were better managed in years past, but i personally have much respect for police. The flack that some have to take on a day to day basis would make anyone disheartened and want to give up. But stop being a sheep and a drama queen and flipping your hand to your head, declaring Woe is me, i have no faith in anything. It's quite boring now.
- Vix, Herts
The people are losing respect for the police on a daily basis. This transcript shows one reason why. If the police do not begin to recover the respect of the people then society will descend into the inevitable police state that seems to be just over the horizon. To many it may seem such a minor thing; but this officer is an utter disgrace. He should be disciplined and if necessary moved to a desk. New Labour have such a lot to answer for with the utter ruination of so much of what was so wonderful about the UK; there is almost nothing left.
- Gary, W2, London, UK
If it wasn't for real and deadly serious, I'd think it was a reject Monty Python script!
- Nigel, London
Police Inspectors do NOT have shoulder numbers , they have two pips on their shoulders.So the protestor was wasting his breath.
- Dave Mcc, France
Police inspectors don't have identification numbers. They have names! Quite why this inspector replied in the manner he did is bizarre. I can only suppose he was sick and tired of this constant questioning by protestors the only purpose of which seems to be to annoy and waste time.
- Ranter, Maidstone, UK
