Sir Hugh Orde warns that repeated clashes with demonstrators risks damaging reputation of police force
Vikram Dood
Guardian
Police fear becoming the focus of public anger at government cuts and that repeated clashes with demonstrators risk damaging their reputation, a top officer has told the Guardian.
Sir Hugh Orde, president of the Association of Chief Police Officers, said it was crucial that police do not appear to be “an arm of the state” who are being used to allow the government to “impose cuts”.
His comments came as the Metropolitan police force faced questions over its handling of violent student protests.
Police expect a string of future demonstrations as government spending cuts begin to bite. While they have started with students, public sector workers are facing mass sackings.
Past protests have damaged the police’s reputation with sections of the community, notably the 1980s miners’ strike.
Asked if there was a danger to the police’s reputation by repeated clashes at demonstrations, Orde told the Guardian: “Yes, if it is allowed to be played as the cops acting as an arm of the state, delivering the elected government’s will, rather than protecting the rights of the citizen.
“We need to be clear we are doing it as operationally independent, and not subject to influence by anyone as to how we do it.
“As long as that is maintained we can rebut any allegations that we are doing what we are told by our political masters to advance a political agenda. The police are not against anybody.”
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