Policing - in brief (17)
01 March 1999
UK: Police video "horrific" arrest: A 26-year old black woman, Susanne Okoya, had charges of obstructing the police thrown out of a Highbury court after magistrates viewed a police video of her arrest. Ms Okoya was waiting for a friend in Islington, north London in November 1997, when six Metropolitan police officers, who apparently believed she was a drug dealer, ran at her and grabbed her by the neck. She was thrown to the floor and had her arm twisted behind her back while another officer pinned her to the ground with his leg. Ms Okoya was allegedly racially abused and strip searched before the police realised that they had arrested the wrong woman; instead of apologising they charged her with obstruction. Ms Okoya received an apology from the magistrates who informed her that "the police had misused their power." No action has been taken against any of the officers involved but Ms Okoya says that she will seek substantial damages for wrongful arrest, false imprisonment and assault. Guardian 20.3.99.
Scotland: CS not "legitimate" for arrests: The first Scottish court case involving the police use of CS spray brought a rebuke to Strathclyde police from Sheriff William Gayle, who also expressed concern over its use and its effects. The case arose from the arrest of two brothers, James and Charles McCallum, who were found guilty of a breach of the peace. Sheriff Gayle accused Strathclyde police officer, PC Martin McDonald, of being "too ready to use the disabling device to facilitate an arrest...he resorted to using the spray without any warning being given." The sheriff was also clear that the use of the spray in facilitating arrests was not a "proper or legitimate use." The Sheriff's comments were welcomed by the Scottish Human Rights Centre, who have been opposed to the use of the spray since its introduction last year. Director, Alan Miller, said that the comments had major implications for the future use of the spray in Scotland: "It is quite clear that the police will have to re-examine their approach to the use of this spray of which very little is known about its effects. We should now call upon police to confirm that they will not be introducing CS spray as equipment for their officers." Strathclyde police will now face an action for damages. Scottish police are currently evaluating whether the spray should form part of their equipment after trials were suspended following the death of Ibrahima Sey in London. Scottish Human Rights Centre press release 5.1.99; Rights April 1998
UK: PAVA to replace police CS spray: A Lincolnshire company, Civil Defence Supply (CDS), has been awarded funding from the Department of Trade and Industry to research an alternative to CS spray. Tests on the synthetic, pepper, water-based PAVA follow concern about the toxicity of the solvent MIBK, used in CS spray, which was declared unsuitable for use in the medical journal The Lancet last year; two separate Home Office studies also questioned the toxicity of MIBK. According to CDS owner, Eran Bauer: "CS is a warfare chemical used by the military which only came to be used by the British police by default... Although its research is adequate for the military, no one really knows whether it is appropriate for use in police work". The chief constables of three police forces - Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire and Sussex - evidently agree, having refused to issue the spray to their officers after expressing concerns over its safety. However, a spokesman for the Police Federation has warned that attempts to withdraw CS spray from officers on the street before a replacement is found will be met with "fierce resistance". Paul O'Brien supported tests undertaken by Hertfordshire constabulary into the new synthetic alternative which "will be the second generation incapacitant." However, he would not support the early withdrawal of CS: "The Federation supports work to be carried out by the PSDB [Police Scientific Development B