Behaviour of some G20 police "unacceptable"

By Michael Holden

LONDON (Reuters) - The man asked to review police tactics used at the G20 protests in London said on Tuesday the behaviour of some officers had been unacceptable.

Acting Chief Inspector of Constabulary Denis O'Connor also told a committee of MPs that he was very concerned about reports that some officers on duty during the demonstrations had covered up their identity numbers.

London's Metropolitan police have faced accusations of using excessive violence during the protests around the Bank of England, while the crowd-control method of "kettling" -- herding protesters into a confined space -- has also been criticised.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission is investigating three cases of alleged police violence at the G20 protests -- including one against a woman and another against a man who later collapsed and died.

"What I saw was unacceptable," O'Connor said when asked about video footage that has emerged of police apparently acting in a heavy-handed manner.

"My concern was obviously about the individual incidents where officers on the face of it appeared to break with their colleagues and assault people."

The IPCC has already received 185 complaints of which more than 50 were from people who allege they were assaulted by police or witnessed an assault at first hand. Two officers have been suspended and one quizzed on suspicion of manslaughter.

The watchdog's head, Nick Hardwick, has called for a national debate on how police maintain public order.

"We have a tradition in this country of policing by consent," he told the committee.

"My view is that has to be informed consent and I think one of the problems ... is that the discussion about tactics and strategy has been an internal discussion in the profession."

Hardwick has said allegations of excessive force by police, and claims that some officers failed to display identification numbers correctly, raised questions about whether police were being public servants or masters.

"I would expect people in public order and other situations to wear their numerals so that the public could identify them. It acts as a good check and balance for all parties involved," O'Connor said.

London police Commissioner Paul Stephenson has asked O'Connor to conduct a review of tactics in the light of the criticism. He said he would produce an interim report by the end of June and a full review in September.

On Monday, Ken Jones, president of the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), said British police avoided the more aggressive techniques used abroad and that people should realise how well demonstrations were policed in Britain.

"I can't find any other country that doesn't use water cannon, CS gas, rubber bullets. Our approach is proportionate and, in fact, has delivered on many other occasions," he said.

Paul McKeever, chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, which represents the rank and file, said attacks on the police by the media, politicians and the public were damaging the reputation and morale of many officers.

"The policing of protests in the UK is the most successful and public engaging in the world, using the least aggressive tactics and methods available to ensure the right to a democratic, peaceful demonstration is given," he said.

(Editing by Steve Addison)