Another Unlawful Arrest According To IPCA: Pattern Of Police Abusing Powers Continues
The Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) has once again condemned Police for unlawfully arresting a protestor. The 2024 arrest of pro-Palestinian protester John Minto is yet another example in a pattern of Police abusing power to suppress speech and protest rights, says Jonathan Ayling, Chief Executive of the Free Speech Union.
'John Minto was pepper-sprayed and arrested at a pro-Palestinian protest in February last year. The IPCA's investigation has determined both these actions were unlawful. The report also suggests the IPCA simply do not believe aspects of the account of the officer in question.
'A culture that tolerates police lying is a threat to us all. Including the Police. The years of advocacy the Free Speech Union has led should be met with stronger funding for the IPCA to ensure they are able to respond to officers who abuse the power they are trusted with.
'The Free Speech Union currently has a case before the High Court, suing Police for wrongful arrest in the case of Lucy Rogers, which the IPCA also determined was unlawful. This subsequent decision compounds the need for scrutiny of Police actions and policy.
'This report follows a larger report earlier in the year reviewing a series of unlawful decisions at protests where the IPCA determined Police consistently failed to balance public order with fundamental liberties.
'As Minto himself said, 'It was a deliberate targeting of myself. If people are blocking the road in a civil disobedience protest they can expect to be arrested and charged but they should not be assaulted and pepper-sprayed. And if they are on the footpath as I was, they should be left alone.'
'The ability to speak freely, to counter-protest, and to robustly debate pressing issues is fundamental to democracy. This is a core part of what Police are tasked with defending. This litany of failures needs political action.'
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