IPCC uphold Misconduct complaint of Police Sergeant Assaulted man to Delete Incriminating Evidence

The IPCC found that Police Sergeant Cooper used inappropriate force on a man in Watford Town.

In 2012, two police officers, including a sergeant, were formally disciplined for misconduct involving unlawful force and trespassing on personal property to delete incriminating evidence.

The incident took place just after midnight on August 26, 2012. Usher spotted the "street angels," a group that included his cousin and a member of his church, trying to deal with an intoxicated female who had become a concern. He then witnessed his cousin thrust the woman backwards against a wall. A few minutes later, the police arrived on the scene.

Usher, then witnessed an officer using inappropriate force on a vulnerable young woman. The sergeant twisting the woman's arm, causing her to collapse on the ground.

Concerned that the situation might escalate, Usher began recording the incident using his mobile phone. 

The officers then took Mr. Usher's phone by force, The sergeant assaulting Usher, and proceeded to delete the video recording.

This action was illegal, as it is a crime to destroy evidence of a crime, regardless of whether the perpetrator is a civilian or a police officer.

Usher was diagnosed with whiplash injury from being pushed over a gate by the officer, that required medical attention.

Pub owner Pamela Rice helped the sergeant get away with the incident by denying Usher access to the pub's CCTV footage and telling him that the police were within their rights.

But it turned out she knew the truth and was only concerned with this not being reported as every incident affects her Horns pub license.

The incident left Usher feeling violated and in despair that his rights had been violated. He suffered from depression and even felt suicidal at times.  

Two Police Officers, one a Sergeant has allegedly been formally disciplined for misconduct using unlawful force and to trespass on personal property to delete incriminating evidence.

Note: In 2010 ACPO correspondence letter was published requesting police not to prevent anyone from taking photographs or video in public places.

The IPCC upheld complaint after an appeal, 2 of the 3 complaints against Police Sergeant Cooper 939.

1. Deleting a video from a device belonging to someone else without court order – upheld

This is also known as Trespass of goods.

2. Inappropriate Force used to obtain the mobile phone, since he had no lawful right. – upheld

Mr Usher also says that he told the Horns Public House weeks in advance but they did not secure a copy of the CCTV evidence, but let it get overwritten a couple of days after police had visited and spoken with management. "I feel even more of a cover up and destroying further evidence!! The pubs owner did not want the pub to have this incident reported for happening near the pub as it would affect its rating, and the pubs owner showed no empathy or care about the victim who was also their customer.

Yet they are quiet happy to dish out the law and use security to protect themselves, but did not look after clients and then get nasty when its the other way around. More worried about having their pub labeled with an incident. An injustice and human rights violation.

The pub owner Pamela Rice breached Data protection by not following proper procedure to allow a member of the public who was in the footage to rightfully be allowed access pending a FEE.

The police apparently reviewed CCTV 4 weeks later and asked for a copy. Yet when the owners got around to, it had been overwritten.

The hospital doctors diagnosed Mr Usher with whiplash who was in pain and considerable discomfort which he suffered for several weeks.

Due to the situation he decided to recorded his telephone conversations and interviews which are in the video below.

In one interview with an Inspector, disgraceful attempts to dissuade the victim from going any further with the report. It has left him more depressed and less trust in the police. ”I am going down a dark slope :(”

Mr Usher has yet to receive any Criminal injuries compensation for what he has suffered.

An officer can only delete photos or video with a court order.

The officer acted unlawfully and caused harm. Assault and battery.

A Police Sergeant would of known this, and believe he over stepped his powers.

This video does include the covert recording of the Inspector, who tried to dissuade the victim from bringing charges.

“Following a disagreement on facebook with Pam Rice, Mr Usher's car had damage caused to it (over £2000 in damage by malicious attacks) twice in one week”. This put him into a state of anxiety as there was no proof of who did the criminal damage to his car.

(Sergeant Cooper has since (2017) been involved in false allegations against Mr Usher.)

original article on Wordpress

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