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G20 police face new probe after fresh video emerges
Police face a new investigation after the posting of a YouTube video that appears to show a police officer striking a woman twice at the G20 protests
The policing of the G20 demonstrations in the City of London earlier this month took a dramatic turn today with the emergence of video footage suggesting further police violence. Video posted on YouTube shows a police officer striking a woman protestor twice - first with the back of his hand across her face, and then with a baton across her legs. Within hours of the video appearing, a sergeant in the Metroplitan Police was suspended from duty.
Unlike Ian Tomlinson, the news vendor who was on his way home from work that day when he was struck by a baton-wielding police officer and died minutes later, this woman can be heard swearing at the policeman before he raises his arm. Nevertheless, the footage suggests an unwarranted over-reaction by the officer.
The incident is believed to have occurred close to the Bank of England on Threadneedle Street on April 2, the day after Tomlinson was attacked. The woman, as yet unidentified, was taking part in a vigil for Tomlinson.
Activists who posted the video on YouTube have appealed for witnesses to come forward, with a view to making a complaint to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).
A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "Every officer is accountable under law, and fully aware of the scrutiny that their actions can be held open to. The decision to use force is made by the individual police officer, and they must account for that."
The IPCC is already investigating the circumstances of Tomlinson's death. As reported on The First Post today, it has emerged that the chairman of the IPCC, Nick Hardwick, misinformed Channel 4 News when he said recently that there was no CCTV coverage in the area where the news vendor was assaulted. ·
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I am totally amazed at how easy it is for the media and the public at large to become Judge and Jury from a short, smudgy video that is a mere snapshot in a train of events. Apart from the slapping of the woman and the subsequent sticking I saw the sergeant involved move to the defensive stance. Anybody have any idea at all why he might do that?
I do not think the police should be used as the target of determined and organised protesters. Every protester bears a responsibility for the behaviour of the mob. No protest should be allowed in any city but an organised walk might be allowed around Hyde Park. The proper place for protest is at the ballot box.
The viciousness of the mob,throwing anything they could pick up,might have some influence on those trying to keep order- think about their position before condemning-