Ian Tomlinson was unlawfully killed by a Metropolitan Police officer

[Gromit]

Ian Tomlinson was unlawfully killed by a Metropolitan Police officer at the G20 protests, an inquest jury has said.

The 47-year-old collapsed and died after he was hit by a baton and pushed to the ground by Pc Simon Harwood at the demonstrations on 1 April 2009.

The jury decided that Pc Harwood used "excessive and unreasonable" force in striking him.

Mr Tomlinson, who was not taking part in the protests in London, posed no threat, the jury added.

Criminal proceedings could reopen against Pc Harwood after jurors ruled he acted illegally, recklessly and dangerously.

My question is slightly off on a tangent. Do you think the law that it is illegal under anti Terrorism laws to film or photograph the police should remain?

[If it wasn't for the public doing just that (and breaking the law), this case and others would not have come to the courts' attention. Is it even enforcable anyway give the number of phones that have a camera?]

[CanisMajor]

So evidence obtained illegally was used in the case. Is that not inadmissible in itself? How then was this evidence allowed in the inquest? To answer the question though, no it should not remain, in a civilised society we must be able to monitor the executive at work. I am somewhat unclear about the whole reasoning for this anyway.

[Zeuhl]

I think it is not illegal to film or photograph the police - unless perhaps it can be shown that the images are intended for terrorist purposes.

I think if you do a search on YouTube there are a couple of obsessives on there who delight in filming coppers and quoting the law at them when they object.

[AB Editor]

There was this from last year: http://www.theanswerb...s/Question911214.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQucfv0slOE

[Zeuhl]

Here's one of several by Darren Pollard esq

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LMKBuGvGUo

[jno]

what, people go round flagrantly obeying the law, Zeuhl? No wonder this country is on the skids.

[Coldicote]

It would be interesting to know more about what police are expected to do and are trained to do in managing large demonstrating crowds.

[albaqwerty]

damned if they do and damned if they don't. Howeever, what the heck happened to common sense?

They have killed innocent people and should be hung out to dry.

[albaqwerty]

He'll have a few mates in blue who would swear the he was threatened and acted defensively, irrespective of CCTV cameras (I so hope I'm wrong)

[birdie1971]

Gromit -

As a former Police Officer myself, I support the Police wholeheartedly. However, this officer acted completely unprofessionally and appears to have a penchant for hitting / pushing innocent bystanders. He appears to be a thug and as such, should be thrown out of the Police.

With regards to the filming of Police Officers whilst in the course of their duties, it is an offence under the Terrorism Act 2000 (subsequently amended by the Counter-Terrorism Act 2008) to photograph or film a police officer or any member of our armed forces if it is suspected that that film or photograph may be used for terrorist purposes. Reading the letter of the law, this seems reasonable and well intentioned.

However, certain grass-roots Police Officers and some senior members of the Police have interpreted this law to mean that there is a complete moratorium on filming or photographing the police in any circumstances. This is simply wrong. And potentially very dangerous.

When a Police Officer in uniform is carrying out their duties – be that walking the beat or controlling a rioting crowd - they should always be operating under the same rules as every other person in a public place: Anyone in a public place has no 'right' to privacy and can be filmed without their consent.

[ixion]

Birdie 1971 - as an ex Polis your comments are relevant and interesting - do you not think however that the culprit should now be prosecuted rather than merely sacked?

[birdie1971]

AB Editor -

The video you posted has shocked me. It appears that every single one of the police officers being recorded seems completely unaware of the law regarding filming / photography in a public place.

Utterly disgraceful.

[birdie1971]

Ixion -

Yes, absolutely. I should have made that more clear in my earlier post.

This PC has unlawfully assaulted someone and as a direct result of that assault, that person has died. This PC should be charged and put before a judge and jury.

[trt]

The poor bloke had his hands in his pockets when he was shoved to the ground!!!

[reefer]

I think anyone who has never been pushed in the back or given a smack by a police officer has lived a very sheltered life.

Have a look at this video clip and see what happens to someone filming Christmas.

http://www.youtube.co...DXBsk&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAUan2DXBsk&feature=related