Friday 20 April 2012

Black Firefighter Makes Police Racism Claim


Scotland Yard is facing a new case of alleged police racism after a black firefighter claimed he was arrested by six officers without good reason, assaulted and then shot with a stun gun.

Edric Kennedy-Macfoy said he was driving through Harrow, north London, during the early hours of September 4 last year when he saw a youth throw a rock at a police van.
He said he then stopped his car and approached the officers, who were dispersing a group of partygoers from a property, to let them know.
However, the 28-year-old claims he was insulted by the policemen before being arrested, and was assaulted and Tasered while he was detained.
He was later charged with obstructing police, but found not guilty following a trial at Brent Magistrates' Court in February.
Mr Kennedy-Macfoy, who was off duty at the time of the alleged incident, has lodged an official complaint against the force.
Both the MPS Directorate of Professional Standards and the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) are investigating the claims.
The firefighter originally issued a complaint against the six officers shortly after the incident, but the force did not launch a misconduct investigation because criminal proceedings against Mr Kennedy-Macfoy were on-going.
However, his solicitor sent a further complaint letter outlining the precise details of the alleged incident last week.
The Met said it was taking the allegations "extremely seriously".
None of the officers, which also included a constable from the Diplomatic Protection Group and officers from black and ethnic backgrounds, have been suspended or restricted.
There are now 12 separate allegations of racism by Met officers under investigation by Scotland Yard and the IPCC.
They include the case of PC Alex MacFarlane, 52, who will face criminal charges after being accused of racially abusing a suspect during last year's riots.
The alleged incident was recorded on a mobile phone. He will appear before magistrates in May charged with a public order offence.

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