Another Rotten Apple?

[Gromit]

A police commissioner has called for swift action after a sergeant was filmed threatening an amateur photographer and promising to make his life 'living hell' at the scene of a fatal road accident.

The sergeant, who gave his name as Wallace on the video of the incident, told the 26 year old photographer "You're lucky I didn't knock you out."
He told him he would arrest him and ask for him to be remanded in custody if he did not delete photos from his camera.

Gloucestershire police have already said they are investigating the sergeant's behaviour but now the county police and crime commissioner Martin Surl is calling for 'utmost urgency.'
Mr Surl, a former police superintendent in the Gloucestershire force, said "It appears this officer swore at a member of the public, followed that up by saying he was lucky not to have been assaulted by the police, threatened him with arrest, mistreatment and a remand in custody.

"I appreciate the work of the police can be very challenging, but no matter what the situation they should deal with the public in a civil and responsible manner at all times. //

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/10555260/Gloucestershire-police-sergeant-filmed-threatening-photographer-and-saying-he-would-make-his-life-hell.html

What should be the punishment?

[woofgang]

what do the T and C of his employment say it should be?

[mikey4444]

Another rotten apple, straight from a very big barrel of rotten fruit.

Can't wait until the new Hillsboro Inquests...there isn't a barrel big enough !

[mikey4444]

Let me guess what will actually happen.

The Police will investigate themselves, again, and we all know how assiduous a job they will make of it. They will take as much time as they like to do so, and the end result will be that this tw*t will have his wrists slapped, at worst. Of course, if he is old enough, he could take early retirement, on a full pension, and that will be the end of the matter. His mates will have something more to laugh about in the Canteen, and we will all lose interest. Until the next time of course.

What would have been the result if the photographer didn't have his camera running at the time of the incident ?

[McMouse]

Was the photographer snapping a corpse at the fatal accident?

[kat1]

corrupt coppers for you!!

[Buenchico]

>>>And why was the ghoul taking photo`s at a fatal scene

Probably for the same reason that I often have done so: to sell them to the local press.

[hc4361]

According to that report the photographer arrived at the scene just as a car was being towed away and he was unaware anyone died or suffered any injuries. He was taking photos of the damaged car only.

[McMouse]

The policeman should have behaved in a more professional manner, however dealing with a fatality is very stressful especially if there are mutilated corpses. It's understandable, imo, to have a pop at a ghoul.

[mikey4444]

All this talk of the photographers motives is very interesting but irrelevant to the point in question. The video showed unmistakable evidence that the Policeman behaved stupidly and arrogantly. Its not possible from the clip to see when the incident occurred but I hope it doesn't take as long to investigate and take action in this case, as it did in the Plebgate affair. That took over a year and only one officer is being laid to blame.

I'm not sure why these things can't be sorted out in a few days. The longer it goes on, the less chance that the officer will stand to have any major happen to him, just like in the Plebgate business.

[youngmafbog]

His punishment should reflect the result of the investigation. If he had been severely wound up by some idiot (quite possible) then a disciplinary should be enough. If however he has previous and has simply thrown his weight around then he should go.

[douglas9401]

Having been promoted to sergeant he should be past the point of being wound up by anybody and get on with his work.
True colours shining through.

[browntrout]

What punishment would be appropriate? arrest the photographer on trumped up charges (which can be quietly dropped later) and see that he accidently falls down the stairs at the police station.

[mikey4444]

From what the officer said on the clip, he appears to be using threatening language. More than that, he was actually threatening the photographer with physical harm ( keeping him locked up in a cell)

I have noticed that the Police have started to wear helmet-mounted cameras, especially outside football grounds. Perhaps the general public should consider arming themselves in a similar fashion. If this photographer didn't have his camera running, we wouldn't be discussing this incident in the first place !

Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

[Bazile]

//Not being a great fan of the police, however, the video appears to have been started when the situation began to get heated and the copper was about to lose his rag after probably being baited by a *** idiot. //

Whether the situation got heated or not is irrelevant - he is a copper and is supposed to act with utmost integrety , despite any provocation .

If he cant uphold the following , then he should not be in the job and should consider his position



"I, .. .. of .. .. do solemnly and sincerely declare and affirm that I will well and truly serve the Queen in the office of constable, with fairness, integrity, diligence and impartiality, upholding fundamental human rights and according equal respect to all people; and that I will, to the best of my power, cause the peace to be kept and preserved and prevent all offences against people and property; and that while I continue to hold the said office I will to the best of my skill and knowledge discharge all the duties thereof faithfully according to law."

[ludwig]

He didn't do anything though. He didn't assault or wrongfully arrest him, and he gave him his camera back complete with all the images.
He just threatened and swore at him. Standard procedure for moving along annoying rubberneckers.

[Bazile]

//He just threatened and swore at him. Standard procedure for moving along annoying rubberneckers. //

If this was a tin pot state , perhaps