When Andrew Carter saw a police van ignore no-entry signs to reverse up a one-way street to reach a chip shop, he was understandably moved to protest to the driver.So, that’s aggressive rudeness to a member of the public, false arrest and imprisonment, lying on the charge sheet (perverting the cause of justice?)…and that’s not forgetting the original traffic offence!
Particularly as he lives on the road and always goes out of his way to obey the signs.
But his complaint brought a volley of abuse from PC Aqil Farooq.
And when Mr Carter took a picture of the van then tried to photograph the officer, PC Farooq rushed out of the shop and knocked his camera to the ground.
Mr Carter was then arrested and bundled into the van over claims he had 'assaulted' an officer with his camera, resisted arrest and was drunk and disorderly.
He was held in a police cell for five hours before being released on bail at midnight.
Anyone wondering if PC Farooq is still in the job? This might help you make up your mind:
It is understood no further action was taken against PC Farooq, who is a member of the Black Police Association's Avon and Somerset branch.Mr Carter is obviously a very, very forgiving man, as he said he ‘didn’t want the officer sacked’ and has accepted an apology (though is still pursuing compensation). So PC Farooq goes back to his duties, which are listed as:
According to a report from the Bristol Equalities Network published two years ago, PC Farooq's duties within the BPA included work with the wider community on 'good relations with the police'. At the time he was the branch's general secretary.Yes, he’s really doing a bang up job, there. No wonder one of the Avon and Somerset Force’s targets is the paltry
”At least 50% of residents to feel that the police understand and are dealing with local matters of most concern…"
The "Black Police Association's Avon and Somerset branch" is not discriminatory in itself, no sir, not in the slightest, not one little bit.
ReplyDeleteTry starting a 'White Police Association' and see what happens!
ReplyDeleteOf course he's still in his job. The guy is fireproof. He is, after all, part of a minority community renowned for its phlegmatic response to provocation and member of an association marked for its work in preventing the promotion of police officers qualified only by the colour of their skin.
ReplyDeleteFrom your quoted story we learn that "PC Farooq made a face-to-face apology at the hearing" and "Mr Beckley . . apologised to Mr Carter in writing for PC Farooq's 'totally unacceptable' behaviour and said the officer's future performance will be monitored."
Bugger "monitoring" this piece of authoritarian detritus should be fired - no pension, no anything. He is a disgrace to his uniform. While we're about it, Farooq was not alone in banging up Mr Carter. The more senior policemen (who, I assume are not all members of the BPA) who run the police station bear as much responsibility as anyone: Mr Carter was banged up for 5 hours after he was arrested and for another 5 hours when he turned up with his solicitor in respect of his police bail conditions.
This will, of course, blow over, to join the rest of the increasing number of examples of the conversion of the British police from citizens in uniform to an uncontrolled army of occupation (eg this one). In the words of our incompetent rulers, the "lesson learned" from this incident - and the police response - is that aggrieved citizens should hesitate to obtain evidence of police misconduct. A good result for the Avon and Somerset Police and the BPA but not for the rest of us.
"While we're about it, Farooq was not alone in banging up Mr Carter."
ReplyDeleteNo, indeed. He wasn't alone in the van, and booking a suspect into custody isn't (shouldn't be) as simple as it sounds. The custody officer must be convinced that the charge is relevant and appropriate. So why aren't they also up on charges?
"the "lesson learned" from this incident - and the police response - is that aggrieved citizens should hesitate to obtain evidence of police misconduct."
It seems the police have learned all they needed to from their former foes: 'Nice reputation you've got here. Be a shame if anything happened to it'
Black Police Association? I take it there aint a White version? Why do I get angry when I stumble across organisations like them? It's the same when the music industry start banging on about the 'MOBO' awards. Makes me so bloody angry. Or it makes me a racist...
ReplyDelete