IPCC clears G20 protest sergeant Delroy Smellie

[Standard Dave]

BBC News - IPCC clears G20 protest sergeant Delroy Smellie

A police officer accused of striking a woman with a baton at a G20 protest has been cleared by the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

Sgt Delroy Smellie was alleged to have assaulted Nicola Fisher, 36, of Brighton, during the protest in Exchange Square, London, in April 2009.

The officer was found not guilty of common assault at City of Westminster Magistrates' Court in March.

Now the IPCC has concluded Mr Smellie has no case to answer.

IPCC deputy chairwoman Deborah Glass said: "Now proceedings are concluded we are publishing our final report.

"Most of the detail is already in the public domain as a result of Sergeant Smellie's trial but, given the public interest in the case, I believe it is important to ensure there is a public record of the investigation and our findings."

While Sgt Smellie will not face disciplinary action, the IPCC has made two recommendations as a result of the investigation.

It said the Met should ensure all items of equipment worn by police should have the officer's shoulder number attached and clearly visible.

The report also said shifts should be planned to give officers eight-hour-long rest breaks as a minimum.

The Crown Prosecution Service had prosecuted Mr Smellie, claiming he lost composure because of Ms Fisher's aggressive behaviour.

It argued he was justified in pushing her back and striking her with the back of his hand but claimed he went too far by striking her with an extendable metal baton.

Ms Fisher was left with severe bruising to her leg.

Lawful self-defence

The incident was later viewed by thousands on internet video sharing website YouTube.

District Judge Daphne Wickham found no evidence had been provided to show use of the baton was not measured or correct.

She said: "It was for the prosecution to prove this defendant was not acting in lawful self-defence.

"The prosecution has failed in this respect and the defendant has raised the issue of lawful self-defence and as such is entitled to be acquitted."

[Xiphos]

Cleared by the Independent Police Complaints Commission. POLICE INSPECTOR BLOG

A police officer accused of striking a woman with a baton at a G20 protest has been cleared by the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

Sgt Delroy Smellie was alleged to have assaulted Nicola Fisher, 36, of Brighton, during the protest in Exchange Square, London, in April 2009.

The officer was found not guilty of common assault at City of Westminster Magistrates’ Court in March.

Now the IPCC has concluded Mr Smellie has no case to answer.

“We live in a world that has walls, and those walls have to be guarded. I have a greater responsibility than you could possibly fathom. My existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives. You don’t want the truth because deep down in places you don’t talk about at parties, you want me on that wall, you need me on that wall. We use words like honour, code, loyalty. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending something. You use them as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said thank you, and went on your way, Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon, and stand a post”

[Ducky]

Cleared by the Independent Police Complaints Commission. POLICE INSPECTOR BLOG “We live in a world that has walls, and those walls have to be guarded. I have a greater responsibility than you could possibly fathom. My existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives. You don’t want the truth because deep down in places you don’t talk about at parties, you want me on that wall, you need me on that wall. We use words like honour, code, loyalty. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending something. You use them as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said thank you, and went on your way, Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon, and stand a post”

[Motorwaycop]

I'm glad I don't get sent on these kind of demo's. I be rather inclined to do a "Smellie" on every one of the so called protesters who got in my face.
Then I'm getting old and cranky.

I know that "do a Smellie" sounds gross. What can I say.

[Captain America]

If you don't want to be hit with a baton don't act like an ass clown at a protest. Glad the Sergeant was cleared.

[Trojan 42]

She had a bruised leg? Sgt Smellie needs to learn not to hit like a girl.

[Five-0]

She had a bruised leg? Sgt Smellie needs to learn not to hit like a girl.

Tough crowd.

[pgg]

I'm glad he got cleared. I agree that she is lucky that bruising is all she got