Around the Commonwealth

 Canada

Around 1,000 mourners gathered for a tribute to police horse Brigadier, who died in the line of duty on February 24. The 8 year old Belgian cross was severely injured after the police rider attempted to approach an angry motorist waiting in line at a drive through teller machine. Police allege the driver made a u-turn and collided with the horse, smashing his front legs and throwing him over the roof of the vehicle. The officer was forced to put down the injured and frightened horse. The chaplain of the Toronto police force, the Reverend Walter Kelly, said that, "Brigadier gave his life for his partner and we are sorry for the loss." The driver of the vehicle has been charged with dangerously operating a vehicle causing bodily harm and failing to stop at the scene of an accident. (07/03/2006)

A city committee ruled against a proposal to compel Winnipeg Police officers to wear name tags. It was argued that name tags would improve police accountability. However, the proposal was not passed as the committee ruled that name tags would jeopardise officer safety. (16/01/2006)

 United Kingdom

The Metropolitan Police refused to hand over sensitive documents relating to the involvement of the Police Commissioner in the July 2005 shooting of a Brazilian man on the London Underground to the Independent Police Complaints Commission. The Complaints Commission has the power to demand "all such information and documents" it considers necessary to conduct an investigation. The police claimed the files were subject to legal professional privilege. (06/03/2006)

Government plans to merge the 43 police forces across the United Kingdom, to create 33 large forces, will go ahead in the face of opposition. In a written statement, Home Secretary Charles Clarke said that he hoped to amalgamate forces in Wales, the North East, North West and West Midlands by April 2007. Police Authorities argue that the merger plans are flawed. (03/03/2006)

The Independent Police Complaints Commission delivered a report into the police shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes to the Crown Prosecution Service, which will decide whether to bring charges against the police officers involved. The British Home Secretary was also provided with a copy of the report, because of the exceptional and grave circumstances surrounding the shooting. Jean Charles' family was denied access to the report. (20/01/2006)

The president of the Association of Police Officers, Christopher Fox, dedicated his recent knighthood to police staff across the country, stating that it is important to recognise the contribution of operational police employees. (02/01/2006)

 Nigeria

The Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Police Reform has blamed the low levels of police morale and the decay of police infrastructure on long term government neglect of the police. He said that corruption within police ranks would not exist if past administrations had focussed more on the police. He went on to say that where policemen had to pay for their own uniforms and live in substandard accommodation, they could not be motivated to perform at maximum capacity. (06/03/2006)

Federal Capital Territory Minister, Mallam Nasir el Rufai, suggested ways to reform the police force. The suggestions include take home pay, improved communication equipment and vehicles and the establishment of forensic laboratories. (28/02/2006)

Police extraction of confessions from suspects will be legitimised under new anti-terror legislation. The National Counter Terrorism Centre, part of the Attorney General's office, said that regulatory mechanisms would be put in place to bar abuse of the law. The Centre claims that the laws, which were previously in place, but had been revoked, were needed to get terrorism related convictions. (28/02/2006)

Alhaji Musa Abdulkadir, Deputy Inspector General of Police (Training and Logistics) told police to respect their oaths of service, and recommended that any police officer found to have committed an act contrary to their oath, such as indiscipline or abandoning of duties, be dismissed. A Presidential Committee on Police Reforms is currently sitting in Nigeria, and will produce a report for government within 3 months. (20/01/2006)

 Malaysia

Police have come up with new body search guidelines in response to recommendations made by recent inquiries into the police. The guidelines water down the recommendations made by the inquiry; instead of conducting a search on "partially clothed" suspects, the guidelines say the detainee must be "practically attired". The guidelines also disregard the recommendation that a warrant must be obtained for all searches. (04/03/2006)

Malaysia's most senior police officer told district police chiefs that they should leave the police service if they do not understand the concept of human rights. The Inspector General made the comments at a three day human rights awareness training seminar for 145 district commanders. (03/03/2006)

An independent body will be set up to look into complaints against police in the wake of reports that police detainees were forced to squat naked while in custody and two independent inquiries into the police. The complaints commission was recommended by both the inquiry into the police, and an inquiry into the reports of forced squatting. (25/01/2006)

Bangladesh

Construction of five model police stations, funded by both the United Nations and the British Department for International Development, is set to begin in April. Eventually, eleven model stations will be completed. They are aimed at demonstrating how the police can meet the needs of the community. (24/02/2006)

Jamaica

A police officer was found guilty of murdering a man while on duty. The police officer claimed he was returning fire, and submited an answer of self defence, but investigations found no gunpowder residue on the victim's clothes. A discovery of gunpowder residue would have been consistent with the victim firing a gun. (23/02/2006)

Trinidad and Tobago

Opposition leader Basdeo Panday stated that he was not likely to allow a Presidential veto over the selection of a Police Commissioner in proposed legislation to reform the police. He went on to say the presidential veto was an unpopular idea among police, legal and community groups in Trinidad and Tobago. (28/01/2006).

Northern Ireland

A senior US government official, fresh from talks with major Northern Ireland political parties, told a group of police training graduates that there will soon be unanimous political support for the police reforms process in Northern Ireland. Sinn Fein has not supported the replacement of the Royal Ulster Constabulary with the Police Service of Northern Ireland on the basis that reforms are yet to go far enough. (27/01/2006)

Mauritius

A suspect in a murder case died in police custody while under the responsibility of members of the Major Crime Investigation Team (MCIT). The accused had been charged provisionally with conspiracy to commit murder. The cause of death was not immediately released. (17/01/2006)

Pakistan

A Senior Superintendent of Police emphasized that contact between junior police officials and people in the community should be developed in order to improve confidence in the police. This would then lead to a decrease in crime and improved police performance. (16/01/2006)

South Africa

A man sued the Police Commission for R514 000 in damages after being detained on rape charges. The lawsuit alleges cruel and inhumane treatment while in custody, including sexual assault. The man claims that he was detained in a cold room, with open windows, but no rugs, was refused food and was subject to verbal abuse by other prisoners. He also alleged that he was sexually assaulted by another prisoner while waiting in a court holding cell. (16/01/2006)

Maldives

A journalist described police as "wild animals" after a violent attack on civilians. The attack was carried out by riot police, and took place inside opposition party rooms. (14/01/2006)