BLACK cops have branded moves by Greater Manchester Police to introduce water cannon as 'grotesque' and accused the force of an 'erosion of civil liberties'.
On Tuesday the M.E.N. reported how the force was considering introducing water cannon to quell riots.
It has considered buying the £600,000 machines or loaning them from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).
Officers have already been on a fact-finding mission to the PSNI.
Documents seen by the M.E.N. show force bosses have been thinking about introducing water cannon since November, 2007, but kept it secret because they didn't want the media to `give the impression GMP is being heavy-handed'.
Manchester Central MP Tony Lloyd has already expressed concerns and asked when and how police would use water cannon.
Water cannon have become a symbol of oppression after they were turned on black people during the American civil rights movement in the 1960s.
The Black and Asian Police Association (BAPA) today blamed the force for an `erosion of civil liberties' with the increasing use of Taser stun guns, which fire electricity to stop suspects, as well as plans to introduce water cannon.
BAPA chairman Charles Crichlow said: "Even if GMP is just in discussions about this, I find it disturbing.
"Added together with issues around extending the use of Taser and the fact we are trying to regain public confidence and also the general historic significance around the use of water cannon, I just find it absolutely incredible we would even be discussing it at a time when that public confidence is at a particular low.
"Water cannon have historically been used on black and minority ethnic communities.
"I don't see where they can possibly get any value [from water cannon] in the context of policing people or events.
"I shall be making my views known the Chief Constable, Peter Fahy. There are some things that are so grotesque that you should rule them out completely. This is one of them.
"I think it is such a grotesque idea. This is a slippery slope we are on. It signifies a general erosion of concerns for human rights and civil liberties."
GMP began considering how to improve the way it polices big events after Rangers' fans went on the rampage in the city in May last year.
The force struggled to cope as an estimated 150,000 supporters of the Glasgow club travelled to Manchester for the Uefa cup final with Zenit St Petersburg, of Russia.
Force bosses said it was their duty to consider new tactics but insisted the introduction of water cannon was `a long way off'.
Chief Supt Phil Hollowood, commander of GMP's Specialist Operations Branch, has said: "When disorder occurs it is our job to protect the public, property and police officers - in that order - and we have a responsibility to look at the different tactics and equipment at our disposal to best achieve that.
"We have been sensibly and carefully considering the different options available and have had very early dialogue with colleagues in the PSNI as they have in the past used water cannon.
"We have tentatively looked at the feasibility of using mutual aid to borrow that resource if we felt that there was a pre-planned event where there was a serious risk of major disorder.
"However, those discussions are at a very early stage and we will not be in a position where we would be close to deciding on the use of water cannons for some time to come and their use, if ever, on Manchester's streets is a long way off."
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Black police slam water cannon bid
July 11, 2009
BAPA chairman Charles Critchlow
Showing comments 1 to 25 and replies | View All
Voter (11/07/2009 at 08:12)
Gaz, Gorton (11/07/2009 at 08:34)
I thought that we were supposed to be an inclusive society, not divisive and being categorised by skin colour. I am surprised the police allow such a discriminatary association to exist.
Gaz, Gorton (11/07/2009 at 10:11)
Pippa, Manchester (11/07/2009 at 10:21)
Theowolfe (11/07/2009 at 10:49)
The definition of "Black" does not refer to skin colour. (Yeah right)
The emphasis is on the common experience and determination of the people of African, African-Caribbean and Asian origin to oppose the effects of racism.
The general public is supposed to be convinced by this. Most reasonable people understand that the NBPA is colour based organisation although it does allow non black and non Asian membership but I think everyone knows this is a sop to give an air of non partisanship.
Similar to the EHRC it has never had a non black or Asian leader.
Ace , manchester (11/07/2009 at 12:06)
Its one of those divissive things that isnt suppossed to be divisive?? Its not a colour thing "That is why its called Black" This is the most anoying statement ive ever read about. there should be one police association for all the police,and those who dont like it should find employment elsewhere.
umpire 2, Salford M7 4HT (11/07/2009 at 13:13)
It is about time they all got up from their desks and done their jobs instead of this political mousetrap and catch some villains and criminals.
Esso Blue. G. Barry, Roque Santa Cruz.It's a Done Deal. Next, Manchester (11/07/2009 at 15:20)
bluwes , Manchester UK (11/07/2009 at 15:34)
Panzer 391, Salford (11/07/2009 at 16:45)
Andanotherthing, Mcr (11/07/2009 at 16:57)
Enigma, Trafford (11/07/2009 at 18:30)
I did once try to join the black and asian police association but guess what? I was turned down for full membership as you guessed it I am white. I was informed that I could be an associate member but that was all.
Not that divisive is it?
Hamish Macbeth, Whitefield (11/07/2009 at 23:19)
Well - there is political mileage to be gained here..limelight for BAPA...extra funding and members etc etc
But the truth is these days water cannons are used predominantly in African and Asian countries by the Army/Police in riot control. Here black and asian police officers use it against black and asian protestors.
Funny - BAPA havent commented on this!
How strange!
""There are some things that are so grotesque that you should rule them out completely""
Mmmm....like a Police Officers Association where membership is based on the colour of ones skin for example?
Dennis the Menace, Hyde (12/07/2009 at 01:17)
It strikes me that BAPA needs to get real !!!!!! and get oot and actually do the job they are being paid for instead of hindering the process of making the streets safer for law abiding citizens !!!!
I find it absolutely incredulous that in this day and age the Police force is actaully allowed to have such a movement within themselves as BAPA !!!!! is that not racist ?????? I FEAR IT IS !!! and why are they so against Water Cannons beng used .... I can tell you why ..... just look at the report .....it says it all ....."Water cannon have historically been used on black and minority ethnic communities" ... well that may have been so ... but to re-itterate what I said earlier .... if you are not doing wrong what have you got to fear ???? ..... come on BAPA, live in the real world, stop bleating and start Policing !!!!!
RT, UK (12/07/2009 at 07:30)
Perhaps that is part of the master plan so that more weapons, that have more in
common with a police state can be introduced...
The Higher Openshaw Exile, MANCHESTER (12/07/2009 at 10:18)
Free speech, as long as you don't upset the MEN, non-whites and the police. What a load of b------s!!!
Laura Norder, Didsbury (12/07/2009 at 11:29)
So, who has been convicted?
They were hooligans hanging onto the coat tails of a big event - no more, no less.
Hamish Macbeth, Whitefield (12/07/2009 at 12:37)
Thank you for confirming my suspicions.
I imagine that most Police Officers that saw the Rangers Riot, worked in Oldham in 2001 and even as far back as Moss Side in the 80's would be grateful the Force is considering the use of non-lethal means to surpress riots. I imagine most law abiding members of the public would be glad of such equipment being available if needed.
I reiterate....""I think it is such a grotesque idea. This is a slippery slope we are on" - only in respect to the creation of a black and asian only association. Such a club with racist entry criteria is grotesque and a slippery slope.
The creation and existance of BAPA breeds resent and racism - especially when they seek to influence things that are not within their remit. If they want to do any good - they could lean on their brothers in Afria and Asia who use the water cannons to repress the people and keep in power juntas and dictators. Obama had the balls to say it as it is!
jaxx , salford (12/07/2009 at 12:56)
Esso Blue. G. Barry, Roque Santa Cruz.It's a Done Deal. Next, Manchester (12/07/2009 at 16:24)
Blue Moon3 (12/07/2009 at 19:52)
Andanotherthing, Mcr (12/07/2009 at 22:16)
Dave Pollard (13/07/2009 at 09:55)
Interesting!!
smittyh, Blackley, Manchester (13/07/2009 at 10:49)
In saying that, shrill comments from the Black and Asian Police Association doesn't help matters, or progress the argument.
One more thing, the article says that "Black cops have branded blah blah blah". It's really important that people realise that the Black and Asian Police Association in GMP only represents SOME black and asian employees. Many don't have anything to do with it, often because of this kind of politicised nonsense. So just because Bapa has said something on the subject, it doesn't mean they're speaking for all "black cops", as the article suggests. Far from it.
The Higher Openshaw Exile, MANCHESTER (13/07/2009 at 11:20)
if a non-white officer is the first to get a kicking BAPA will withdraw all it's members saying 'it's a race riot' even if it's just a rush to the sales. BAPA are a joke and racist.