Here in Regina SK Canada where i live we had a situation simliar to this about 2 years ago.
A person was pulled over downtown and it was found that the gentleman had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. (if i recall the charges werent that serious and there was no reason to think this man was violent.)
There were at least 4 officers present.
The man was handcuffed and searched leaning over the hood of his truck. He was then turned around. The officer then kicked the man in the shin.
From my knowledge of acceptable police intervention tactics (relatively slim, but there is knowledge
) This is not an effective or common method of dealing with a person. Especially use on one who is not resisting arrest.
The person that was under arrest then spit on the officer (which is assault.) The officer then dealt out several closed handed blows to the man's face. Under Canadian police standards this is not warranted, as an officer can only deliver a reaction equal to or one level above to the action recieved.
Here the officer would have been permitted to use a grappling or restraint method or a an open handed blow.
Anyway the officer also roughed the guy up on the way to the police car and the man was knocked against the roof of the car before being placed in the back seat.
The result:
The officer was suspend WITH pay until his trial. He was eventually dismissed as were the two other officers that tried to cover for him.
My feelings: As public servants and representatives of the crown, police officers must be very careful of what they do when it comes to a physical altercation.
The guidelines are there, the training is there, the rules are there. Every officer knows them and knows they must respect and follow them. I understand that policing is a very stressful job and things do happen, and people heat up and boil over. BUT....policing is a job where a person cant allow this to happen.
The abuse of authority, especially physical should be condemned and severely punished by all law enforcement agencies.
In this day and age, with budget cutbacks, fewer officers, more legal red tape, and a general feeling of the "us against them" attitude that is directed to any form of civic authority at any level, the police must establish and maintain a bond of trust and mutual agreement with the public. The police are there to help you, and you are there to help them. Community policing, neighbourhood watches, police/social programs, neighbourhood/commercial area "beat cop" programs, and overall police/public consensus related to "real concerns" is paramount to the future of policing. Occurances such as this only drive a wedge between the community and law enforcement.
This is just my opinion, and i know it is just that, but i dont see the attitudes of the "jurassic pork" being feasible in the future. I have 3 years of justice related university level education and my dad was in the RCMP for ten years..and i have heard many a story and have many a thought on what policing is/should be. But they are just that, my thoughts.
Sir Robert Peel: The police are the public and the public is the police."
