Shocking scenes in Bristol tonight

[Jonny Ingbar]

Maybe folk who become riot police aren't as averse to violence as most people.

Being trained to do that doesnt mean its their day job, or that they enjoying doing it - the majority will come from front line posts like neighbourhood policing and such like. I don't deny there is always the exception and when the adrenaline is flowing, and people are scared for their safety, sometimes under extreme provocation some can also overstep the mark - not condoning it, but I can see how it happens and its easy for us, in the cold light of day, to judge actions in isolation.

 

[Jonny Ingbar]

There is plenty of evidence that the police overstepped what is acceptable. Videos, pictures on the BBC website of a girls bruised body after being kicked whilst on the ground, by 4 police officers.

Any fair minded person would suggest the police had every right to arrest, with reasonable force, anyone breaking the law. Equally any fair minded person would think attacking a reporter, or a protester sitting on the ground, with batons and kicks is totally unacceptable.

Agree with that, Like I said, there's always going to be exceptions, especially in such a highly charged setting like this was.

 

[bear66]

A former police chief has warned that new protest laws move Britain dangerously in the direction of “paramilitary policing” and that UK ministers are “flexing their muscles via their police forces” like repressive regimes around the world.
Link

 

[bear66]

Barton said: “I’m not in favour of even more restrictive measures. Surely after an historically unprecedented year-long curfew, in peacetime, the government could show some common sense and gratitude for such incredible forbearance to allow civil liberties to once again flourish. Or are they happy to be linked to the repressive regimes currently flexing their muscles via their police forces?

 

[JackG]

Barton said: “I’m not in favour of even more restrictive measures. Surely after an historically unprecedented year-long curfew, in peacetime, the government could show some common sense and gratitude for such incredible forbearance to allow civil liberties to once again flourish. Or are they happy to be linked to the repressive regimes currently flexing their muscles via their police forces?

Joey?

 

[Laughing]

Agree with that, Like I said, there's always going to be exceptions, especially in such a highly charged setting like this was.

If you can't do the job professionally find another profession. The way things are going, and the unconditional support the bristol force has had from both Patel and Johnson, suggests that over time, the exceptions will become the norm.

You can support reasonable law and order and think police beating people up is wrong.Not only are they not mutually exclusive, they actually go hand in hand.

 

[Colgates_shaving_foam]

I have a feeling that police officers will have a choice to make in the next few years.

I would be looking for a new career if I was in their shoes.

 

[BoroMart]

Fair enough, if thats your view, but I think any reasonable, balanced and fair minded person would believe the opposite of that to be true, whilst accepting that there's an exception to every rule of course.

You've got to ask yourself why would they do that? I'm sure that the vast majority would rather be doing their day job, rather than being confronted with a situation that all your instincts tell you to run away from, when you actually have to do the opposite.

I've seen videos of protestors sat on the floor getting attacked by cops, bringing the edge of riot shields down into the protestors. There is no excuse for that, the rioters were not posing a threat sat on the floor. That is unnecessary force and they should be sacked and prosecuted for it.

 

[BoroMart]

and when the adrenaline is flowing, and people are scared for their safety, sometimes under extreme provocation some can also overstep the mark

If that is the excuse they shouldn't be cops! Cops face situations every single day where they might have adrenalin flowing, where they might have a concern for their personal safety and where they might be provoked. If they are unable to control their reactions they are poor at their job and should go do something else.