Council Leader Cllr Bev Craig has written to Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police Stephen Watson after footage emerged of the distressing incident at Manchester Airport:
Dear Chief Constable,
I am writing on behalf of Manchester City Council to express our profound concern at the incident at Manchester Airport involving GMP officers and its impact on public confidence in Greater Manchester Police.
Since footage of the incident emerged, Councillors have been inundated with messages from upset and distressed constituents who have seen footage of shocking and seemingly disproportionate force used by an officer during an arrest. We share that sense of shock and it is essential that GMP realise the strength of feeling and impact this incident has had, not just in the immediate term but also on future community relationships.
We welcome the action taken to suspend the officer and the fact that GMP has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, but wish to reiterate that it is vital not only that this incident is robustly dealt with but also that GMP take steps to restore public trust.
No one underestimates what a challenging job being a police officer is and officers must themselves expect to be safe from violence in conducting their duties, but it is a central tenet of our democracy that policing is by consent and anything which serves to undermine relations between our communities and the police erodes that principle and damages trust.
I know that GMP are in discussions with the Council about a meeting for councillors to share their concerns and seek reassurance and it is important that this takes place.
We understand and share the public’s serious concerns about this incident and we support people’s right to protest but we urge calm, for any protest to remain peaceful and for public safety to remain paramount.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct need time to investigate thoroughly. But while that process takes place GMP must do all it can to assure the public that the necessary actions are being taken and urgent lessons learned.
Yours sincerely,