Many abuses of police powers occur because we let them. Legal observation and police monitoring are effective tools in tackling such abuses and can make a real difference from collating the data necessary for effective legal challenges to providing and collecting witness statements for those arrested. These actions have both challenged the way protest and the streets are policed and kept innocent people out of prison.
A legal observer in London
Network for Police Monitoring is a new organisation made up of individuals involved in Campaign Against Criminalising Communities, Climate Camp Legal Team, Fitwatch, Legal Defence and Monitoring Group and Newham Monitoring Project. For the first time, and about time too, they are coming together to offer training:
Will you point the finger at police abusing their powers?
Police Monitoring and Legal Observation Training
Sunday 18th April – 10:30am – 4:30pm
Friends Meeting House
173 Euston Road
London NW1 2BJ
Sessions will include police powers, stop and search and surveillance, as well as workshops on legal observation and police monitoring.
Although participants do not have to commit to doing legal observation/monitoring, it is hoped you will want to use your skills…so you’ll be invited to join in for the next major protest on May 1st in Central London. Of course cops abuse their powers outside London, so lets see these tactics spread far and wide!
Whilst there is no registration, please email info@networkforpolicemonitoring.org.uk to let them know if you’re planning to come so they have an idea of numbers. Everyone welcome (except cops), whether you have experience to share, want to brush up on skills or have no experience whatsoever. It should be an interesting day. It is the first time this training will take place, so feedback will be very welcome.
There’s no justice, just us, we’re more than enough if we call their bluff. Now let’s get on with it…