[Mrluvaluva]

From Sky News:

Updated: 09:46, Thursday March 08, 2007

A woman is taking civil action against a police officer who was caught on CCTV punching her five times.

The film - described as "stomach-turning" - has prompted calls for an investigation amid suggestions of police brutality and racism.

Toni Comer, 20, had been thrown out of a Sheffield nightclub and police were called when she vandalised a car.

In the video she was seen falling down a flight of steps with one officer and when colleagues and a security guard arrived she was punched five times in the subsequent melee.

The South Yorkshire police officer who struck her said he hit her "as hard as I was physically able" to deaden her arm so she could be restrained.

She was then slapped in cuffs and dragged away with her trousers down as a police dog handler watched.

Ms Comer - who said she may have been having an epileptic fit at the time, which caused her to thrash around - pleaded guilty to criminal damage and was given a conditional discharge and ordered to pay £250 compensation.

She admitted being drunk at the time of the arrest and said she had no memory of the events.

"I really don't believe it. I didn't think they would actually do something like that at all," she said.

Her father Leroy said: "My kids have been brought up to be honest and tell the truth but this sort of incident makes you lose confidence in the police service.

The moment Ms Comer was hit "I have a 14-year-old son at home and he is obviously going to be influenced by what has happened to his sister. I could understand him not having a liking for the police. I would be hopeful that justice will be done."

Shami Chakrabarti, of human rights group Liberty, said: "The Independent Police Complaints Commission must investigate urgently in the knowledge that public confidence in modern policing and the police complaints system is at stake."

Nick Clegg, Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman and MP for Sheffield Hallam, said: "The violence in this footage is shocking, especially as it took place as several officers were holding down one woman."

Chief Superintendent Ali Dizaei, of the National Black Police Association, said it was "absolutely" a concern that race may have been an issue as Ms Comer is black.

But he said that, while the video looked "appalling" at first glance, it was acceptable for officers to use force of the kind seen if it was necessary to stop the person being arrested from harming themselves or someone else.

South Yorkshire Police - which said it was "happy" with the officer's conduct - said it was "outraged" as suggestions of racism.

The officer, identified only as PC Mulhall, said he had been kicked and spat at by Ms Comer, who he said also tried to bite him.

In a statement he said he had tried to subdue her. "There was no visible effect and in the end I had to use brute force and both hands to bend her arm at the elbow to place her wrist in the cuff."

Watch the video here and comment:

http://news.sky.com/skynews/video/vi...7_0700,00.html

[Ella]

I saw this on GMTV this morning and I was disgusted in the Police Mans action, The police man in question said it was self defence as the women was kicking and trying to bite him, But ion the CCTV footage there is no evidence of this.

And the fact that she allegedly had an epileptic fit while this happend makes the fact that the police men didn't notic this even worse.

I hope the men involved get punished..But seeing as they are police they will most probab;y get away with it, While the 20 year old female (She was 19 at the time) Has to accept that they probably will get away with it..Its just pathetic that they can act like this and use self defence as an excuse.

[GiRTh]

It's Rodney King all over again.

[lily.]

Ok, I'm not going to be popular with my views, but here they are.

1. She shouldn't have been vandalising a car.

2. She probably shouldn't be rat-ar5ed drunk if she suffers from epilepsy (and, if the fact that she was so drunk concealed her having a fit, then she only has herself to blame).

3. She hasn't been charged for attacking the policeman which she clearly did before he punched her.

4. I don't buy the "racist" allegations. This kind of thing happens to white people as well.

5. She's a criminal. If you do a crime, and the police catch you and you resist arrest, then you are guna go down with a few bruises. FACT!



I don't feel the least bit sorry for her. If she doesn't like it, then she shouldn't be a thug.

[Mrluvaluva]

He did punch her with full force. You could see that. Don't you think that's excessive Linda?

[lily.]

No. It was on the arm, and he says he was trying to give her a dead arm so he could cuff her.

I think the police have a difficult job to do because they can't do chit nowadays without someone bringing it into question, yet it's ok for chavs etc. to attack the police.

You ever watch some of the reality shows on TV about what the cops have to put up with on weekends outside some of these clubs. He didn't use his baton, so I don't think it was excessive. And, he also didn't hit her on the face. That would have been different entirely.

[GiRTh]

Sorry Stropz but everything you say was said about the Rodney King incident. At the end of the day the police are give a mandate of how much force they are allowed to use. This guy clearly crossed that line.

[lily.]

Well, I knew my opinion would be controversial. But, I just feel that there is little or no respect for the law in this country. And the police don't seem to be able to do anything about crime because of all these rules and regulations.

About 9 or 10 years ago, my car got damaged. I stood at my window and saw the guy kicking the mirror off it. I called the police and they came out and I told them who had done it, and at what time and who he was with etc. The policeman asked me if there were any witnesses. I said, "yeah, me stood at the window". They said they couldn't arrest him without more witnesses.

I tried to do the right thing, and I got bitten on the ass for it. (and, had to pay to get the car fixed myself!)

About 5 or 6 years ago, there was a guy who basically went up my street, and ran a key along the cars.. broke some glass etc. He was on a rampage to damage stuff.. He damaged our friends car by keying it right along one side. The following night, he was walking past our house and my husband went out and grabbed the little b@stard and threatened him that if he touched any of our stuff, he would kick his head in (in a nutshell). The guy was crappin himself and after my man let him go, he didn't come near again.

Should we have to take the law into our own hands? Or should the police be left to do their job?

[GiRTh]

Stropz, I do believe that you're a fascist

Seriously, I think everybody agrees with you but the rules are the rules.

I was in a well known sport shop about six months ago when the security guards grabbed this kid for nicking. He had him in a head lock and a woman passing by shouted 'treat him with respect, that's some one's son y'know'. The womans companion turned to her and belittling told her to not get involved. I nearly p issed my self laughing.

Society has a youth problem, there's no doubting that, and in many ways I agree with you but the rules are what they are. Maybe if the police hadn't let so many people die while in their custody then they'd have more of a free reign.

[Mrluvaluva]

[i]Originally posted by Linda
I just feel that there is little or no respect for the law in this country. And the police don't seem to be able to do anything about crime because of all these rules and regulations.

I totally agree with you on this. Some younger people generally do not have respect for anything, and know that 9 times out of ten they can get away with it. But I do also agree with Grit. There is a line. This goes over it.

[Nowhere]

I'd have to agree with Linda, firstly, it doesn't look like the girl's having an epileptic fit. Secondly,like Linda said,if she suffers with epilepsy, what is she doing running around an empty warehouse,blindly drunk,throwing things around and vandalizing cars? That girl got herself into that situation,the police are there to stop crime, whether the offender has epilepsy or any other type of illness.It's up to the individual to be responsible,if they're not, and commit offences, then the police should act accordingly.I do feel a little sorry for her, but she made her bed..

[Mrluvaluva]

It's true that epileptics shouldn't be getting drunk though. Excessive alcohol can cause seizures.

[GiRTh]

Originally posted by Nowhere
I'd have to agree with Linda, firstly, it doesn't look like the girl's having an epileptic fit. Secondly,like Linda said,if she suffers with epilepsy, what is she doing running around an empty warehouse,blindly drunk,throwing things around and vandalizing cars? That girl got herself into that situation,the police are there to stop crime, whether the offender has epilepsy or any other type of illness.It's up to the individual to be responsible,if they're not, and commit offences, then the police should act accordingly.I do feel a little sorry for her, but she made her bed..

Again. All this was said about Rodney King.

At the end of the day the police should never have the right to knock people senseless that they are trying to arrest.

For all those who think this is no biggy -

How much force do you think is excessive and at what point - in an arrest - do you think the police should be allowed to use force?

[GiRTh]

Originally posted by BAZG
It's true that epileptics should nt be getting drunk though. Excessive alcohol can cause seizures.

Off topic. I'll get all Red Moon on yo' ass.

[Dr43%er]

If someone was grabbing my testicle's I would thump them. If you look at the position of his hand, As his hand is coming down to strike it is not coming down knuckle first. If you make a fist and look at the bottom of it you see you curled up little finger. I believe him to be hitting her with that part of his hand in a hammer motion. Not as vicious as a punch.

I have just seen her interviewed on the news. She was saying she remembers nothing of the night. She then goes on to deny that she was trying to hit and bite him. Hang on, I thought you just said you cant remember anything from the night???

I see no comparison between this and the Rodney King incident.

[Nowhere]

Originally posted by GRiT
Again. All this was said about Rodney King.

At the end of the day the police should never have the right to knock people senseless that they are trying to arrest.

For all those who think this is no biggy -

How much force do you think is excessive and at what point - in an arrest - do you think the police should be allowed to use force?

Yep,I believe police should be allowed to use force. The amount depends on the situation, although it doesn't fill me with confidence that the police officer is the one to decide. I just think there's alot of crime around, and we need a powerful force to combat it.

[GiRTh]

Originally posted by Nowhere

Yep,I believe police should be allowed to use force. The amount depends on the situation, although it doesn't fill me with confidence that the police officer is the one to decide. I just think there's alot of crime around, and we need a powerful force to combat it.

I do believe that you, like the stroppy one, are a fascist

Joking aside, I have no faith in the police making the right call at all. I've seen a young girl knocked into police vans on a Saturday night for simply trying to slap her boyfriend on a drunken night out. I don't think that is reasonable force.

I think society should be more self-policing. Did you read my post on the incident in the Sport shop? I think that is way too prevalent; people do believe - rightly or wrongly - that the police do use too much force and I have seen it first hand. As I said earlier, if the police had not 'allowed' so many people to die while in their custody then maybe things would be different

[Mrluvaluva]

Originally posted by GRiT

Off topic. I'll get all Red Moon on yo' ass.

It is not off topic at all. It's part of the issue. So lose the chip.

[Mrluvaluva]

I think if you asked people in the police force what kind of force is acceptable to use, you would get a whole load of different answers. And of course, there are bigots etc employed there, same as any large employment organisation. There is always going to be an issue on this, no matter what.

Just to put 1 point accross though. I do believe in never hitting a woman. But once I saw a girl in a nightclub grab a guy by the neck, and dig her nails in, drawing lots of blood, for what seemed like ages. A guy, after trying to pull her off, punched her in the face to stop her, I did think that was reasonable in the situation. Think about it.

[GiRTh]

It is not off topic at all. It's part of the issue. So lose the chip. [/quote]

Don't get your panties in a bunch.

I don't think the epilepsy is very relevant in the context of her being drunk. If she chooses to drink with her ailment then that's up to her.

Having just watched it again on full screen, I think the force used was way over the top and the officers should be suspended. There is no clear evidence that she was physically resisting arrest. I've been arrested - that may not come as a surprise to many of you - they nearly smashed down my front door. I came out side stood still with my arms slightly raised, the officer took out his handcuffs, I then very clearly said 'There's no need for those, I'm not resisting', I was then pushed up against a wall and then shoved to the ground. My crime - a couple of traffic offences. The officers did not know what my crime was as they were arresting me. The police force need strict disciplinary guidelines and I hope this case gets people talking about issues like that.

[Mrluvaluva]

Originally posted by GRiT
It is not off topic at all. It's part of the issue. So lose the chip.

Don't get your panties in a bunch.

I don't think the epilepsy is very relevant in the context of her being drunk. If she chooses to drink with her ailment then that's up to her.

Having just watched it again on full screen, I think the force used was way over the top and the officers should be suspended. There is no clear evidence that she was physically resisting arrest. I've been arrested - that may not come as a surprise to many of you - they nearly smashed down my front door. I came out side stood still with my arms slightly raised, the officer took out his handcuffs, I then very clearly said 'There's no need for those, I'm not resisting', I was then pushed up against a wall and then shoved to the ground. My crime - a couple of traffic offences. The officers did not know what my crime was as they were arresting me. The police force need strict disciplinary guidelines and I hope this case gets people talking about issues like that. [/quote]


Erm, epilepsy is part of the story, and it is relevant, because if you drink too much, it can cause a seizure (ever seen one? - I have, and some bad ones).

The officer involved has now been "removed from active duty".

And I always knew you were a crim Grit. I bet it wasn't traffic offences. I bet you were like a pimp or something!

[GiRTh]

Originally posted by BAZG
And I always knew you were a crim Grit. I bet it wasn't traffic offences. I bet you were like a pimp or something!

LOL It was traffic offences but they'd been after me for about five years so I kind of was asking for it.

I'd love to be a pimp; taking my money from my ho's. Sounds like quite a life.

[Lauren]

Well... she can't even remember it, whats the bother?

He needed to deaden her arm to get her in cuffs without her fighting back, she was clearly out of her head and would have been struggling against them.
She's a criminal, and had this been a man it would be treated differently.

She would've been struggling against the officers and I would've thumped her arm too to get the cuffs on her. Perhaps she should worry about sticking to the goddamn law next time. Silly cow.

Oh and I don't think there was anything racist in it.


Ooh controversial.

[Mrluvaluva]

From Sky

Parents Round On Police
Updated: 14:11, Thursday March 08, 2007

The parents of a young woman repeatedly punched by a policeman say there is no justification for the officer's actions.

CCTV pictures show the policeman hitting 20-year-old Toni Comer five times.

PC Anthony Mulhall said he was trying to deaden her arm so she could be restrained with handcuffs. He has now been removed from frontline duties.

Ms Comer - who suffers from epilepsy - had been thrown out of the Niche nightclub in Sheffield. Police were called when she vandalised a car.

She admits being drunk and says she cannot remember anything about the incident. She is taking civil action against the officer.

PC Mulhall said he hit her "as hard as I was physically able" to deaden her arm so she could be restrained.

The moment Ms Comer was hit She was then put in cuffs and dragged away with her trousers down as a police dog handler watched.

Ms Comer pleaded guilty to criminal damage and was given a conditional discharge and ordered to pay £250 compensation.

She told Sky News: "I can't understand why he did this. There were others holding me down.

"Afterwards, there were bruises on the back of my neck, the side of my head and on my arms."

PC Mulhall said he had been kicked and spat at by Ms Comer, and said she also tried to bite him.

In a statement he said he had tried to subdue her. "There was no visible effect and in the end I had to use brute force and both hands to bend her arm at the elbow to place her wrist in the cuff."

Ms Comer's father, Leroy Walcott, told Sky News: "We need some justice. This has nothing to do with compensation or race.

Alleged victim Toni Comer "What kind of an example does this set? My daughter is 5ft 6ins and weighs nine stone and I'm sure two police officers could have restrained her. It's just not acceptable."

Her mother Lisa Comer said: "There's no way a police officer should punch anybody. She (Toni) had had a fit in the club. There's no proof she was resisting arrest. Her leg was shaking."

South Yorkshire Police Chief Constable Meredydd Hughes told Sky News he'd been horrified when he first saw the CCTV clip, but he'd now seen the whole footage.

"It's important that we reassure the public that there is more to this case than meets the eye and that we are fully cooperating with the Independent Police Complaints Commission so they get all the evidence and can form a judgment.

"I entirely respect the family to defend their daughter. I would be asking the same questions if I had seen only a few seconds of the footage.

"But there are more issues here to judge than the public can see."

[Lauren]

The parents are just schiz cos they've brought their daughter up to be a yobbish criminal. She can't use her epilepsy as an excuse - she shouldn't have been breaking the law.

Perhaps a thump in the arm when she's sober might do the trick.