I watched the bodycam video of this young man’s arrest. I was shocked by the callousness of one of the male officers (“Don’t think you have, mate,” in reply to Nowak’s claim he’d been stabbed) and the way they handcuffed someone who couldn’t even sit up.
I also remember the way social workers would avoid confrontations with potentially violent parents (over childcare), preferring to deal with safe, middle class families where there wasn’t the risk of being thumped. It wasn’t bias, it was choosing the easiest option.
A similar sort of thing seems to be happening in English policing. A priority is given to offences involving words, on social media or in the street, because these are easier to deal with.
Of course, it gives support to the claim of two-tier policing. I don’t believe that’s true in the way Farage etc claim it is, and certainly not that Starmer (the “two-tier Keir” slur) is supporting it, but the effect is to create a policing environment like the one Nowak died in.
The killer of the young man mentioned above looked a real nasty piece of work just looking for a fight with that knife and why was he carrying it. You and I would have been arrested for having something far less lethal on us or in our vehicles. His eyes are very confrontational in the mug shot
Sadly very interesting, but I had no idea of the exemption in law to allow Sikhs to carry bladed weapons and think that should be rescinded immediately. I am reminded of the case many years ago when there was a campaign to allow them not to wear helmets on motos because it was impossible with the wearing of a turban. Not sure if that is still the case.
Is there any other religion which has been given such exclusive rights in avoiding the law that everyone else has to adhere to?
It was not a religious kirpan, it was a pretty horrible ornamental knife. I doubt that had he been searched, he would have avoided arrest. The whole scene did look bad, however, we are seeing with hindsight which, as we all know, is a wonderful thing.
As I understand it, Sikhs normally wear a small ornamental knife on a chain around their necks, which allows observance and keeps them lawful (less than 3” blade, ornamental not offensive).
The offender had passed the knife to his mother, who was charged with an appropriate offence.
They have been allowed them for a very long time. I don’t think there has been any cause to refuse them. As Porridge says, it’s a small one not the sort of thing that Digwa was carrying.
I just assumed that open blades were banned per se. Just reading the story now, I am horrified that a defense can be claimed if for religious reasons! Absolutely crazy.
This is looking increasingly like stupid, rather than lazy policing. On R4 this evening there was an interview with a senior black ex police officer who was able to explain that a complaint had been made of racial abuse (by the killers brother) and the officers were sent out went on that basis. Rather than assess the scene, it seems they assumed Novak was the abuser because that was the reason they were there and dealt accordingly. Basically a stupid blunder and lack of professional judgement.
As a former officer stationed in Southampton I am ashamed by this whole thing, and am of the opinion that the officers who attended the scene are simply unfit to be police officers.
The primary duty of any police officer is the preservation of life. Clearly they failed in that duty.
The body cam footage clearly shows that a civilian was assisting Nowak to sit up when the officers arrived at the scene. This person verbally verified that he was holding Nowak up to prevent him from toppling sideways. It was stated that Nowak had blood in his mouth.
Nowak was clearly only semi-conscious at the best of times.
Nowak clearly stated that he had been stabbed.
One of the officers had to drag Nowak out from the small space between a parked car and the wall of the house.
Nowak was clearly posing no threat to the officers, and yet he was handcuffed.
The officers clearly failed to make any attempt to establish the extent of Nowak’s injuries even though he was only semi conscious and had blood in his mouth.
The young man had apparently been stabbed in such a way that the point of the knife penetrated his heart, and so it is fair to say that he may well have died whatever the officers did.
However, Nowak’s last moments should have been with an officer comforting him, and rendering such first aid as was possible in the circumstances.
Overbearing conduct – 10 out of 10.
Compassion — Nil points.
I understand that one of the officers has since resigned from the police. The others should also do the decent thing and follow that officer’s lead.
I see Farage has waded in and made things a lot worse in Southampton. Henry’s father specifically asked outside court today for his death not to be used to divide people.
The question I have in mind is, if the killer had been stopped in the street beforehand, would that large knife that did the lethal damage have been treated as an acceptable religious item or would he have been arrested for carrying a bladed instrument ?
I think the latter, as is born out when the brother I think passed the thing to their mother.
Just checked Wiki and it says a Kirpan is allowed by law to be almost 23 cms long. Bloody hell, time for a change in the law I think
You tell me what other policies (there are 628 links, so there will be plenty of choice) are relevant and would make a difference to the imbalance I say DEI has created.
I should probably also remind you that Hampshire Police considered the murder of George Floyd in America “a pivotal moment for policing in the UK”. I think that is utterly bizarre.
I think your best argument would be to say that I’m using one example of bad policing to criticise DEI policy.
Nice deflection attempt. I’m quite happy to do the research to support my own assertions but I’m not doing the research on someone else’s unevidenced assertions.
The very next paragraph explained it.
I think my best argument is that you don’t understand the history and purpose of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion* policies if you think the policy you posted is unreasonable.
*I have no idea why the right wing populists, like Farage et al, prefer to import the US term. Follow the money, perhaps.