A 14-year-old roadman was brutally kneed in the b*llocks before being taken down to the ground by a police officer in Margate this week, prompting an investigation by Kent Police.
For context, a large group of youngsters had turned rowdy and a dispersal order had been put in place, giving police the power to move on anyone causing nuisance, harassment or distress. Footage shows one young lad saying: “What’s your problem fam? What’s your problem fam?” to a police officer, before a second copper turns up and knees him in the groin:
Police bosses are reviewing a video that shows an officer bringing a 14-year-old boy to the ground with a knee to his midriff. Full story: https://t.co/FppHKHXEsy pic.twitter.com/A3mMYaooUN
— KentOnline (@Kent_Online) May 23, 2024
Interestingly, most of the comments I’m seeing seem to be praising the policeman for his actions…
The police were exemplary here. More policing like this would mean much safer streets. Surrounded by feral kids who most likely have a knife amongst them. You have to act fast and take out the threat as quickly as possible . Bravo to that policeman 👏🏼👏🏼
— emma rock (@emmaroc33249448) May 23, 2024
I don’t see a problem. He was resisting arrest. What’s the alternative – step back and taser him?
— Dirk Bruere (@DirkBruere) May 23, 2024
Promotions all round.
— GottaBigMouth (@GottaBigMouth) May 23, 2024
Bloody well done to the police officers! Age means nothing.
— Sam (@Samishlol) May 23, 2024
Nothing wrong with that – kid was resisting arrest, and the officer stopped immediately after force allowed him to get the the cuffs on.
More like that, please.
— Greg Gladwell (@D675) May 24, 2024
That’s what the police are there for. Why is it being reviewed? If you’re old enough to break the law, then you face the consequences
— Martin (@ElectrikHop) May 23, 2024
Of course these glowing reviews don’t mean that kneeing this kid in the balls was entirely necessary. You could argue that while he was initially resisting, he did look to have stopped moving in the moments before the officer put him up against the wall and kneed him. Couldn’t he have just wrestled him to the ground instead?
I guess the question is – when is kneeing a 14-year-old in the groin considered appropriate use of force? That’s something police bosses will have to figure out during their investigation. Could be there’s further context missing that the video and article on KentOnline don’t provide. We’ll have to wait and see how it pans out…
For the police officer who punched a six-foot-five 16-year-old in Hull and immediately ended up wishing he hadn’t, click HERE.
