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Wednesday 25 November 2009

Ian Tomlinson Vigil

http://www.facebook.com/groups.php?ref=sb#/event.php?eid=198857330559&ref=mf

Wednesday 4 November 2009


http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/nov/03/met-police-cleared-racial-abuse

I am disgusted. This man has had 77 complaints made against him and yet for some reason this was not disclosed to the jury when finally, there was another officer willing to testify against him.

The only successful allegation was as a result of a private prosecution.

To pursue a private prosecution is very expensive and the evidence must have been more than compelling to have resulted in such a large payout.

I understand that the nature of the job is such that it is likely that false allegations may be made. While teaching I had one child falsely accuse me of racism but I wonder how 77 allegations compare with the average officer.

Imagine how much money would have been saved on that prosecution alone if the officers involved had been wearing cameras.

No more he says she says. No need to ruin another officers credibility in the pursuance of finding a defendant not guilty.

However, I suspect that there have been many other officers complicit in this man being protected from the consequences of his alleged misconduct.

I would like to know his opinion on our aims, whether he would support them.

I think however, it is clear why some officers would not. It would make everyone involved, public and police alike, more accountable.

Maybe, with video, the truth could once again, set us free.

Maybe, with video, one could start to trust the uniform and actually find a reason to support and co operate with the police.

It is my experience that the police lie to protect their own interests at the cost of the law and the public.

This video is a really minor issue, and most who have not suffered as a result of police misconduct may feel that it is nit picking.

But for me, it is indicative of the iceburg that is police misconduct.

Apologies for the typo at the start.