Public policing overhaul

A police sergeant filmed hitting out at a woman during the G20 protests has been suspended while the incident is investigated. The actions of the territorial support group sergeant outside the Bank of England will be examined by officials at the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC). But a spokesman said the woman from Brighton, known only as Nicky, has not yet come forward to make a formal complaint about the alleged assault on April 2. Deborah Glass, of the IPCC, said the watchdog would investigate after the matter was referred to them by senior officers at the Metropolitan Police. She said: "It is appropriate to use our own investigators to deal with this latest incident arising from the policing operation relating to the G20 Summit. "I have taken this decision bearing in mind the death of Ian Tomlinson and the volume of complaints made by the public about the actions and tactics of the police service during the policing of the G20 demonstrations." In a wider move, the police tactics used at the G20 demonstrations will also come under scrutiny, including the 'kettling' technique of holding demonstrators together in an enclosed area. Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary Denis O'Connor will lead the review of strategies. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson said: "G20 was a complex policing operation, managing the movement and protection of many heads of state across the capital while balancing the right to lawful protest and maintaining public order for many thousands of people. "It is also the case that a number of complaints have been raised in relation to the tactic of containment and as to whether this achieves that balance. I want to be reassured that the use of this tactic remains appropriate and proportionate. "Separately, I have already expressed my concern that the video footage of some police actions are clearly disturbing and should be thoroughly investigated. "As well as the post-event investigation into those responsible for violence and disorder, I have also ensured that footage in police possession is reviewed to identify any other matters of individual police conduct that may warrant investigation. "One matter that I also want to make clear is that uniformed police officers should be identifiable at all times by their shoulder identification numbers. "The public has a right to be able to identify any uniformed officer whilst performing their duty. We must ensure this is always the case."

» More on this story... «

ITN | April 15, 2009

Tags:. .volume. .complaint. .technique. .deborah. .referred