Police caught without ID badges 'get away with slap on the wrist' (London Assembly Liberal Democrats)

London Assembly Liberal Democrats <info@glalibdems.org.uk>

Police caught without ID badges 'get away with slap on the wrist'

September 18, 2009 2:46 PM
In http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article6838803.ece

Members of the Metropolitan Police Authority criticised police chiefs yesterday for not formally disciplining officers who fail to wear their ID numbers.

They accused senior officers of not taking the issue seriously enough and warned them that unless they changed their attitude, rogue officers could get away violence.

The issue of ID numbers was thrown into the spotlight when several officers were photographed without them during the G20 protests in April.

The Met's handling of the protests was widely condemned, with the Independent Police Complaints Commission receiving about 250 complaints, including more than 50 allegations of "excessive force with reported injuries".

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A newspaper vendor, Ian Tomlinson, collapsed and died of severe internal bleeding shortly after a policeman allegedly hit and pushed him.

Senior officers said that it was probably unnecessary to formally discipline officers caught without their ID badges because the badges could fall off and officers could forget to attach them.

Speaking at a meeting with senior Yard officers, Dee Doocey, a member of the authority, said: "I find it quite extraordinary that an officer who does not wear their numerals gets basically a slap on the wrist.

"I think it is really important that everyone can identify an officer. If someone is bashing you with a shield, it is quite nice to know who they are."

Clive Lawton said that an officer who wanted to cause trouble could get away with being "cavalier" about their identification.

"The individual who is reluctant to be identified could get away with it on two or three occasions without being ticked off," he said.

The Met has spent more than £40,000 on number badges for specialist public-order officers since the G20 protests.

Assistant Commissioner Chris Allison, who has overall responsibility for public-order policing, admitted that the subject was emotive.

He said that only a tiny number of officers had been found without number badges. Most them should be dealt with by "words of advice", he said.

"We need to ensure, whatever piece of kit they have got on, they have got their epaulettes on. That is a close, intrusive supervision issue. I do not think the discipline route is one to go down."

He added: "When you look back at our video and media clips of G20, the overwhelming majority of officers were completely correctly dressed.

"I am aware of one news group having done a review of everything they have got and they could not find an officer without numerals on."

Members of the Metropolitan Police Authority have launched a review of the changes that have taken place in policing demonstrations as a result of criticism of the G20 operation.

It is the latest in a long line of reviews and investigations examining the actions of officers of all ranks during the April protest.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Allison said: "It is only right that every officer can be easily identified by the public. This is no different in public order situations, and the Met has made it clear that this is not negotiable. Any officer found not wearing their correct numerals and identification will be dealt in the most appropriate way.

"Let me make it clear, as we have to our staff, that, depending on the circumstances, this may result in formal discipline. What I hope is that this is not an issue again in the future. Intrusive supervision of all frontline officers by their managers can prevent this from happening in the first place.

"Managers have, and will be, held to account for their officers."

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article6838803.ece