London in Flickr (LiF)

, originally uploaded by PetrosD.

I was quick to praise the police for their work during the events of the G20 in London and i have on many other occasions praised them for their professionalism & modern approach to policing.
Unfortunately, the video schowing the scenes preceding the death of Ian Tomlinson during the G20 protests will, i fear, do lasting damage to their reputation and in one strike undo years of hard police work.
There is no excuse for what is shown there, this is pure and simple thuggery for which every normal citizen would be arrested and dragged in front of a judge. If Ian Tomlinson had done something he should have been handcuffed and put in a van to be driven to the station for processing. Hitting him from behind with a baton and then shoving him forcefully forward so that he falls head down onto the pavement is not police work.
This can only be described as an act of brutality, barbarism and cowardice to which the police and indeed society should turn their backs in disapproval. Why did nobody protect this poor chap? Who do we turn to for protection when we fear those who are supposed to protect us?