Did Police Over React Here

[bad company]

Were police assaulting this protester at Manchester United?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jD3r7LFFUxY

[vonhosen]

Is he the one who it's alleged slashed a Police officer's face.

[bad company]

It’d have been good to have seen what went before this incident.

[anonymous-user]

I heard on the news that two officers got severely injured but don't know the nature of the injuries.
What were the protesters there for? I don't really follow football.

[Bigends]

La Liga said:

Depends if the officer can justify the strikes.

Few strikes to a large muscle area like the thighs has a low probability of anything other than bruising / soreness.

That was just bad tempered, did nothing to assist with cuffing or restraining him

[Gman20]

He was isolated, on the floor, pinned down by 3-4 offices and surrounded by several more, in an area surrounded by many many more police.
The pinning to the floor may or may not have been justified, but it is hard to see those punches were anything but an assault.

[bad company]

flashbang said:

I heard on the news that two officers got severely injured but don't know the nature of the injuries.
What were the protesters there for? I don't really follow football.

Manchester United protest: Supporters group urges co-chairman to engage with fans https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56969755

[Parbold milkperson]

GMP do have a reputation for brutality don't they? There was a police stationary bBrutal Street

[Trevor555]

That's an assault and that officer should be charged and sacked.

[Ian Geary]

As said already, it would be interesting to see what happened first.

But as they dragged the guy back, the "assaulting" officer was hovering round and seemed eager to get some punches in, despite not really being involved in holding the guy (who at that point at least) didn't seem to be resisting.

The pc was also very angry... presumably wound up by what had taken place.

I'm surprised the police let press (?) roam round behind them like that as it's probably quite distracting, though policeman thinking clearly enough to keep the cameras away from what was taking place.

I've never policed a protest, but imagine polite language and asking nicely quickly become ineffective.

So there will be a point where force and general shoutiness is needed, but think it is right that those using force be reminded they are still accountable for their choices.

Ian

[vonhosen]

Looked like he was dragged from the driver's door of the lorry.
Two have got hold of his arms & are struggling to get them where they want them, whilst the third is doing distraction blows to the legs.

[Parbold milkperson]

Distraction blows equals GBH

[vonhosen]

Parbold milkperson said:

Distraction blows equals GBH

Of course they do.

[Trevor555]

vonhosen said:

Looked like he was dragged from the driver's door of the lorry.
Two have got hold of his arms & are struggling to get them where they want them, whilst the third is doing distraction blows to the legs.

I'm trying to understand your comment.

Have you more info on the threat level?

Did this guy have a weapon? or recently used one? A knife maybe? Suspected of having a weapon?

[vonhosen]

Trevor555 said:

vonhosen said:

Looked like he was dragged from the driver's door of the lorry.
Two have got hold of his arms & are struggling to get them where they want them, whilst the third is doing distraction blows to the legs.

I'm trying to understand your comment.

Have you more info on the threat level?

Did this guy have a weapon? or recently used one? A knife maybe? Suspected of having a weapon?

What's confusing about the comment?

The threat level or weapons don't come into what it looked like on the images available, but those things may have a bearing on whether it's justifiable though.

[Trevor555]

vonhosen said:

Trevor555 said:

vonhosen said:

Looked like he was dragged from the driver's door of the lorry.
Two have got hold of his arms & are struggling to get them where they want them, whilst the third is doing distraction blows to the legs.

I'm trying to understand your comment.

Have you more info on the threat level?

Did this guy have a weapon? or recently used one? A knife maybe? Suspected of having a weapon?

What's confusing about the comment?

The threat level or weapons don't come into what it looked like on the images available, but those things may have a bearing on whether it's justifiable though.

I just wondered if you had more info on what had just happened beforehand to justify "distraction blows"

[Gman20]

Trevor555 said:

I just wondered if you had more info on what had just happened beforehand to justify "distraction blows"

Standard excuse for police brutality.

[ben5575]

I'm usually one of the first to line up to criticise over zealous policing, mainly as it is completely unnecessary/little men abusing their power/bullying/assault/poor training.

That said, I'm struggling to see how three largely ineffectual punches to the alleged perps thighs and/or balls in the context of that level of unrest is an over reaction. If you go out looking for aggro then getting some back is part of the sport.

The same punches the face/baton/pepper spray etc would be a different ball game (excuse the pun). Nothing to see here.

[vonhosen]

Gman20 said:

Trevor555 said:

I just wondered if you had more info on what had just happened beforehand to justify "distraction blows"

Standard excuse for police brutality.

Distraction isn't an excuse, it's a technique.
As said though, it's something (like any use of force) that has to be justifiable in the circumstances.

[Gman20]

vonhosen said:

Distraction isn't an excuse, it's a technique.
As said though, it's something (like any use of force) that has to be justifiable in the circumstances.

And when it isn't justifiable it is still used as an excuse, because it is very hard to disprove.