Tough policing of protests risks public backlash

By Stefano Ambrogi

LONDON (Reuters) - Heavy-handed policing of highly-charged demonstrations risks alienating the public, infringing civil liberties and damaging the reputation of the police, a high-level review of tactics said on Wednesday.

Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC), a police watchdog, called for sweeping changes to public order training and the use of force by officers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The report follows strong criticism of the controversial handling of the G20 demonstrations in London in April in which one bystander died and other unarmed protesters, including a woman, were filmed being beaten.

Denis O'Connor, the chief inspector of constabulary, said employing tactics that appeared to be "unfair, aggressive or inconsistent" would not only harm the reputation of individual officers, but the police service as a whole.

O'Connor singled out inconsistencies in the training, standards and leadership of officers employed at protests.

The controversial use of shields and the "inappropriate" use of public order powers, such as stop and search and overt photography, were also highlighted.

"Some forces train officers in defensive and offensive shield tactics (including the use of the edge of the shield against individuals) which are not nationally recognised," the report said.

"Police use of overt photography and the retention of the images raise human rights issues."