http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-New ... 2044?f=rss

OK, I doubt most people would even bother making a complaint thinking it wouldn't go anywhere, and if I'm right, those details given make the complaints figures staggering

I'm somewhat bemused by the number of complaints about Oppressive Behaviour.
They're riot police FFS, what are people expecting? A chat and a nice cup of tea?

Still, I think the MPA spokeswoman makes a good point. If so few complaints are upheld or even investigated the it will give the officers in question a feeling of impunity to do whatever they want to do as the death of the guy at the G20 protests demonstrated.

I was wondering about the Oppressive Behaviour numbers too, it may be a case of more people knowing or thinking they know their rights these days, or just how far the police can take things within the law...

The figures wouldn't cause so much of a fuss if the Met didn't have a bit of a dodgy rep as it is - if nothing else, they should learn that nearly everything they do can be recorded and/or broadcast these days

Just because they are riot police doesn't make whatever they are policing a riot. Quite often you seem to see lots of police got up in full riot gear (and not showing their ID numbers, apart from anything) to police apparently completely legal and peacful protests.

I've always thought if you gave someone the equipment, they are more likely to use it. If you put someone in body armour and give them a riot baton, they're subconsciously conditioned to the fact that they may come under physical threat and will probably react in a more aggressive manner to perceived provocation.

I'm also firmly of the belief that the public react more positively to policeman in standard uniform than someone who looks like they've come prepared for war.

That and the fact that The Met's policy to protest seems to have hardened over the last few years. There seems to be much more 'overt control' going on and stuff like kettling and the like never used to happen.

Jon

I was, in my youth, one of the Leftie "awkward squad" regulars and attended numerous demos, marches and other protests. We call had this dangerous idea that in a purported "democracy" we had the right to express our views without harassment and intimidation from the Police. I went to numerous very peaceful, even good-humoured demos etc almost exclusively policed by "old fashioned bobbies".

In my experience, the rot really set in after Grunwicks, Wapping and of course the Miners strike. Things weren't thate "peaceful" at various "Peace Camps" either!
These strikes really "politicised" the Police Force, particularly the Met (who acted as "flying troops" oop north & in Wales during the Miners strike). There are numerous video and other records of what is clearly Police violence at peaceful demos. The old Dixon of Dock Green era is long gone (whatever they portray on the "Bill"). They see anyone protesting as being "Them" and the authorities, bosses and themselves as "Us", and act accordingly. That is, they act with complete impunity, safe in the knowledge that come the next big demo their political bosses will need them to bash heads etc.
Finally we need to remember this isn't new. Remember Blair Peach, and the numerous poor sods who "fell down stairs" at various Met stations during the 1980s.