24 August 201016 December 2022 4WardEverUK

US cops: armed and dangerous?

originally published by: The Guardian
16th August 2010

When Americans read British newspapers referencing “her Majesty”, “his Highness” or “Lord So-and-So”, we bask in the smug patriotic pride of knowing ours is no nation of aristocrats, but a country based on principles like equality before the law and authority granted by merit.

So we’re told. Yet we do have de facto aristocrats, whose authority over ordinary citizens rivals what English royals gave up with the Magna Carta: power to inflict pain on anyone who treats them disrespectfully, power even to kill with relatively little fuss. If mine were truly a free country, US police wouldn’t wield such immense power or employ such aggressive tactics against their own citizenry – a militarisation of our police forces that started with the war on drugs and intensified after 9/11.

28 July 201016 December 2022 4WardEverUK

Safer in Custody stats published

original source: IAP
22nd July 2010

The Ministry of Justice today published its Safer in Custody Statistics Bulletin for 2009 which provides an analysis on deaths, self harm and violence in prison. The statistics are an important source of information for those interested in understanding and improving safety in prison and other custodial settings.

The publication analyses deaths, self-harm and violence in prison custody, looking at trends across age, gender and time in prison custody.

The bulletin is released by the Ministry of Justice and produced in accordance with arrangements approved by the UK Statistics Authority.

You can access the statistics by visting:
www.justice.gov.uk/safer-custody

7 June 201016 December 2022 4WardEverUK

Still no justice for Mulrunji – stop black deaths in custody

originally published by: Green Left
30th May 2010

On May 18, the Queensland Crime and Misconduct Commission CMC announced it would take over primary responsibility for investigating all deaths in police custody in the state.

This followed the recommendation made by deputy chief magistrate Brian Hine when he delivered his findings on May 14 to the third coronial inquest into the 2004 death of Aboriginal man Mulrunji Doomadgee in the Palm Island watch house.

On November 19, 2004, Mulrunji was walking home when sergeant Chris Hurley, driving by in his police vehicle, arrested him on a drunk and disorderly charge. He was taken to the Palm Island watch house where there was a struggle, resulting in a fall.

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