Policeman cleared ( what a shock )

[Durlston]

No great surprise he got away with it. The smaller forces seem to be the unpredictable ones.

 

[drew]

It's worth pointing out to those who say she deserved it, she didn't. Just because she was pissed and abusive and difficult doesn't mean she deserved this:

She might not have deserved the injuries but she certainly contributed to the events that led up to them. The cctv evidence now released seems to show a bit more than at the time. This time it clearly shows her trying to get out of the cell a couple of times.

Also, in your honest opinion as one of Britain's finest, would you suggest the charges against her were dropped because of the action she was taking and the 'video evidence'. One can only assume that a blood sample wasn't taken before she got injured (although surely they could have scrapped some off the cell floor!).

 

[Collar Feeler]

She might not have deserved the injuries but she certainly contributed to the events that led up to them. The cctv evidence now released seems to show a bit more than at the time. This time it clearly shows her trying to get out of the cell a couple of times.

Also, in your honest opinion as one of Britain's finest, would you suggest the charges against her were dropped because of the action she was taking and the 'video evidence'. One can only assume that a blood sample wasn't taken before she got injured (although surely they could have scrapped some off the cell floor!).

I haven't seen the other CCTV so can't judge what it shows however all police officers are taught home office approved control and restraint techniques and from what I've seen, dragging a prisoner across the cell block and throwing her into a cell isn't on any list of approved techniques I've ever seen. I'm struggling to see how a burly 6ft plus experienced officer is saying he had to resort to that behaviour because he couldn't control her, quite frankly I think thats bollocks.

I suspect no charges were offered against her because she was asleep in her car when she was first encountered, although she may well have been pissed and I suspect gave the officers grief when they spoke to her. She failed to provide a breath test but I think the CPS may have held that that request may have been unlawful if she wasn't held to be in control of the car which would be difficult to prove if she was asleep at the time! I have seen people prosecuted under these circumstances but they generally have to be in some way in control of the car such as in the drivers seat with the keys in the ignition. Insufficient evidence I suspect to continue hence no charges offered.

 

[NMH]

How's the stewarding going?.....

What's it got to do with anything?
Stewards don't manhandle people, are not police and have no powers of arrest. We look after your health and safety, and concerned with others around you, in keeping with regulations.
I have a qualification that is City and Guilds certified.
Still nothing to do with Police work, other than their work in tandem with us when called upon. I believe 'Collar Feeler' is the very acceptible face of the Constabulary usually present at Withdean - and you are lucky to have him around.

Buzzer has misbehaved in the past, and tried to contravene the Withdean 'Sportsman' rules, so that cock thinks he's an authority on 'Steward Watch' or something. He's got a boner for me since I didn't agree wholeheartedly with his poor example, even though invited to give unbiased opinion.
Never mind eh, he can think whatever he wants, he's been a bit of a nob and STILL can't take his meds.

 

[NMH]

She might not have deserved the injuries but she certainly contributed to the events that led up to them. The cctv evidence now released seems to show a bit more than at the time. This time it clearly shows her trying to get out of the cell a couple of times.

Also, in your honest opinion as one of Britain's finest, would you suggest the charges against her were dropped because of the action she was taking and the 'video evidence'. One can only assume that a blood sample wasn't taken before she got injured (although surely they could have scrapped some off the cell floor!).

So many public could be perceived to 'contribute' to actions by deserving of them - but as Collar Feeler suggests, it's part of a job that it's commonplace, and no police have the right or privilege to mete out judgement or punishment. They have the right to use force in protection of themselves, the laws of our country, and other members of the public and property.

 

[Buzzer]

What's it got to do with anything?
Stewards don't manhandle people, are not police and have no powers of arrest. We look after your health and safety, and concerned with others around you, in keeping with regulations.
I have a qualification that is City and Guilds certified.
Still nothing to do with Police work, other than their work in tandem with us when called upon. I believe 'Collar Feeler' is the very acceptible face of the Constabulary usually present at Withdean - and you are lucky to have him around.

Buzzer has misbehaved in the past, and tried to contravene the Withdean 'Sportsman' rules, so that cock thinks he's an authority on 'Steward Watch' or something. He's got a boner for me since I didn't agree wholeheartedly with his poor example, even though invited to give unbiased opinion.
Never mind eh, he can think whatever he wants, he's been a bit of a nob and STILL can't take his meds.

Ahh, bless.

 

[Barrel of Fun]

That was a fantastic thread.

I'm interested to know your thoughts on this issue I have - North Stand Chat

 

[xenophon]

 

[NMH]

Only the consequences were just a tad more serious:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/2119943.stm

Flashback: Rodney King and the LA riots


The videotaped beating shocked the world

The videotape of the violent arrest of 16-year-old Donovan Jackson by Los Angeles police has reawakened uncomfortable memories of another assault on a black motorist.
In 1991, footage of Rodney King being beaten by four police officers while others looked on caused outrage around the world, and was a major factor in triggering serious rioting in the city a year later.


Rodney King was badly injured in the beating


Now there are fears that the latest incident could again ignite Los Angeles' simmering racial tensions.

King's white Hyundai car was stopped by traffic officers of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) after a high-speed chase on 3 March 1991.

King, whose friends "Pooh" Allen and Freddie Helms were also in the vehicle, had been drinking and was behaving erratically.

Beating

Ordering him out of the car, four officers Laurence Powell, Timothy Wind, Theodore Briseno and Stacey Koon, beat Mr King repeatedly with their batons.


Sergeant Stacey Koon later received a 30 month jail term


The LAPD claimed the officers had acted in self-defence to restrain King, who they said was aggressive and resisting arrest.

Other officers present did not intervene. Rodney King suffered a fractured skull and internal injuries in the attack.

The incident was caught on camera by George Holliday, a manager of a plumbing company, whose apartment was close by.

Within a day, the tape was running on news networks around the world, focusing international attention on the apparent brutality of the LAPD.

Four days later, Los Angeles County District Attorney dismissed all charges against King. On 15 March, the four police officers were charged with assault.

However, a grand jury later refused to indict 17 other officers who had witnessed the beating.

Backlash

In July 1991, an independent commission ordered to investigate the LAPD delivered a damning verdict.

Its report documented what it described as the systematic use of excessive force and institutionalised racism. The commission recommended the resignation of police chief Daryl Gates.


Widespread broke out erupted after the trial


In Autumn 1991, the lenient sentence handed to a Korean-American convenience store assistant convicted of shooting dead a young black woman further heightened racial tensions.

The spark came in April 1992, when all four officers in the Rodney King case were cleared of assault. Within hours, violence erupted across the city's black neighbourhoods.

Fifty-five people were killed in several days of rioting, looting and retaliatory attacks against whites and Asians. About 2,000 people were injured, and another 12,000 arrested.

More than $1bn worth of property was damaged and the National Guard was deployed to help police restore order.

A year later, the four acquitted police officers faced a second trial on federal charges of violating Rodney King's civil rights.

Stacey Koon and Laurence Powell were found guilty and received 30 month jail terms; Timothy Wind and Theodore Briseno were cleared.

Rodney King won a $3.8m damages from the City of Los Angeles. He used some of the money to found a rap record business, Alta-Pazz Recording Company.

A fine example of police brutality, from some idiots not worthy of their uniform.
Sadly, it wasn't just their actions that caused riots though;-
Chief of LA Police Daryll Gates, on the spot from the public notice of the tv footage, announced "I stand by my men". This was an announcement that may have encouraged the boys in blue under his command - but did NOT encourage the people who PAY them to 'Protect And Serve' (as it says on the side of their vehicles).
Instead of saying the RIGHT thing, which would have deferred any outcry and anger at the time, like - "I will be looking at their actions and putting them under my professional remand until this has been investigated". That would have kept the public satisfied at least until it could become a footnote in the papers two weeks later. He could have sent the buggers off to the Caribbean for two weeks vacations, and no-one would have been so bothered. Not that they deserved that of course - they needed to be sacked for bringing the department into disrepute - especially as they were also stoopid enough to have done their thing on camera!
Instead, the local black populace saw it as tantamount to a lynching, and went BALLISTIC! One bloke was dragged from a truck to have a brick hurled at his skull by a mad gang-banger, property was destroyed and Korean shop-owners sniped at looters. By the end of an expensive 2 days and nights, an estimated 50 people were dead, a curfew locked down the City and cost business millions, and multimillions of dollars were wasted in damage by fires, looting, and general wanton destruction. Well done Darryl Gates, a nice bit of leadership

Rodney King collected $2million in damages, but went on to commit other crimes like beating up a woman, and more wreckless driving offences.
I heard he basically 'did' all his money fairly quickly, too. Probably up his nose.

 

[severnside gull]

I haven't seen the other CCTV so can't judge what it shows however all police officers are taught home office approved control and restraint techniques and from what I've seen, dragging a prisoner across the cell block and throwing her into a cell isn't on any list of approved techniques I've ever seen. I'm struggling to see how a burly 6ft plus experienced officer is saying he had to resort to that behaviour because he couldn't control her, quite frankly I think thats bollocks.

I suspect no charges were offered against her because she was asleep in her car when she was first encountered, although she may well have been pissed and I suspect gave the officers grief when they spoke to her. She failed to provide a breath test but I think the CPS may have held that that request may have been unlawful if she wasn't held to be in control of the car which would be difficult to prove if she was asleep at the time! I have seen people prosecuted under these circumstances but they generally have to be in some way in control of the car such as in the drivers seat with the keys in the ignition. Insufficient evidence I suspect to continue hence no charges offered.

add to that no doctor is going to agree to a blood test given the severity of her injuries sustained whilst in custody = no evidence.

One of my lads is a copper and I seem to spend half my time banging on to people about how the force are let down by the courts because they don't apply appropriately severe sentencing - in this instance they let them down for an entirely different reason

 

[Greyrun]

Exactly, she should have had the book thrown at her. She was aquitted due to lack of evidence?? One minute she can't (won't) walk, the next minute she is sprinting out of the cell? So just remember, she is still driving around the countryside, quite possibly so pissed she can't walk, oh, and she didn't even get fined for failing to give a breath test. Jesus, and the copper got put in jail for that, disgrace.

What should be remembered is that he was reported by a fellow officer who was shocked by his behaviour.

 

[happypig]

I have seen people prosecuted under these circumstances but they generally have to be in some way in control of the car such as in the drivers seat with the keys in the ignition. Insufficient evidence I suspect to continue hence no charges offered.

The keys don't have to be in the ignition but would have to be easily available, ie in a pocket.
I sat on one a few weeks back where the driver was pissed (one of the highest readings I've come across) in the drivers seat with the keys on the seat. We were under no doubt that he didn't intend to drive but according to the letter of the law, he was guilty.

One of my lads is a copper and I seem to spend half my time banging on to people about how the force are let down by the courts because they don't apply appropriately severe sentencing - in this instance they let them down for an entirely different reason

With the greatest respect to your lad, sentencing has nothing to do with police. their job is to bring suspects before the court and that's where their part of the criminal justice system ends. Sentencing is down to Magistrates and Judges after hearing all the facts and is set down in guidelines.

 

[NMH]

The keys don't have to be in the ignition but would have to be easily available, ie in a pocket.
I sat on one a few weeks back where the driver was pissed (one of the highest readings I've come across) in the drivers seat with the keys on the seat. We were under no doubt that he didn't intend to drive but according to the letter of the law, he was guilty.




With the greatest respect to your lad, sentencing has nothing to do with police. their job is to bring suspects before the court and that's where their part of the criminal justice system ends. Sentencing is down to Magistrates and Judges after hearing all the facts and is set down in guidelines.

So...what did you do about example 1?
Did you take him downtown and charge, with your own intent to constructively speak in support of his apparent 'intent' not to drive?
Or, let him off with a talking to?
I imagine you couldn't leave him with his car and keys - so the former.

 

[Westdene Wonder]

It concerns me that although this policeman knew that CCTV evidence would be available he still considered he was untouchable, he knows now that he was correct.
It would have been bad enough if the assault had been against a man but as it was a woman it is completely unforgivable.

 

[Barrel of Fun]

What were his grounds for appeal?

 

[Safeway]

Sadly the job attracts a lot of rock-ape bully boys who don't think, or DO think they have a right to give it the physical on all comers just because of the uniform.

Yup, and those that don't get in become stewards at football grounds.

 

[BensGrandad]

.
It would have been bad enough if the assault had been against a man but as it was a woman it is completely unforgivable.

Why? In my experience as a publican I have come across many women who have been more difficult to control and throw out of my pub than men. If nothing else because you have to be careful where you touch them when you 'throw' them out. Sometimes they are much more violent than men so you cannot generalise like you have attempted to do.

 

[severnside gull]

With the greatest respect to your lad, sentencing has nothing to do with police. their job is to bring suspects before the court and that's where their part of the criminal justice system ends. Sentencing is down to Magistrates and Judges after hearing all the facts and is set down in guidelines.

with the greatest respect to the bench their liberal and inconsistent interpretation of guidelines, particularly in the case of repeat offenders, too often renders the whole process ineffectual and does nothing to deter people from committing crime. Here however we are discusssing a specific case where the somewhat partial determination, based on no clear evidence, that injury may have been caused by a fall after the fact of an actual assault, renders the very clearly documented assault inconsequential. A mockery of the justice system which will doubtless be equally damaging to the courts and to the police in the pubics' estimation.

anyway enough of my high horse - where's the football?

 

[Beach Hut]

What's it got to do with anything?
Stewards don't manhandle people, are not police and have no powers of arrest. We look after your health and safety, and concerned with others around you, in keeping with regulations.
I have a qualification that is City and Guilds certified.
Still nothing to do with Police work, other than their work in tandem with us when called upon. I believe 'Collar Feeler' is the very acceptible face of the Constabulary usually present at Withdean - and you are lucky to have him around.

Buzzer has misbehaved in the past, and tried to contravene the Withdean 'Sportsman' rules, so that cock thinks he's an authority on 'Steward Watch' or something. He's got a boner for me since I didn't agree wholeheartedly with his poor example, even though invited to give unbiased opinion.
Never mind eh, he can think whatever he wants, he's been a bit of a nob and STILL can't take his meds.

So stewards never man handle people eh ?

What about those three that pounced on that away fan as he came out the toilet this season, I take it that is not man handling ?

 

[clapham_gull]

What's it got to do with anything?
Stewards don't manhandle people

Unfortunately they do sometimes. I know someone it happened to, with the help of the local Police I might add.

The person in question received an apology "unofficially" from the Police and decided not to take the matter any further...