Police 'high handed, cocky and arrogant'

VOX POPULI:Letter to the Editor

December 23 1999.

I AM 20 years old. In July I was caught for e-mail imtimidation. In the process I have been a victim of police abuse. The police not only taunted me but also threatened and humiliated me while I was in their custody.

I was accused of imitimidation. What I did was the result of anger, depression and frustration. But I know what I did was wrong and I am determined to turn over a new leaf.

The police have been high-handed, cocky and arrogant in treating my case.

When the CID officers came into my house, one of them, an Indian officer taunted and intimidated me. He threatened me that if I didn't cooperate with them. He would ask the media to come into my house and reveal all my home details to the public.

As if this was not enough, another officer called me a soft-spoken chicken. Next to find evidence to charge me, they ransacked my room.

When I was being brought into the police car, the same Indian officer was already threatening to handcuff me if I didn't answer any of his questions. My computer and my software was already confiscated as well.

When I arrived at the police station, two of the officers who brought me inside then sat together with another colleague and began to mock at me and tease at my plight. That particular officer to call me a 'stupid pig' and all of the three started to laugh together at me.

I was then locked up at the station for an 12 hrs.They gave me only one meal during this period. It was as if they were pressuring me to confess.

When I was finally released, I was treated roughly by an officer. While still handcuffed, the officer wrapped his arm around my neck and started to pull me along pretty hard.

He told me to go for counselling, and threatened to send me to jail.

When we reached another office a female office took a statement for me.

Frightened and remorseful, I started to cry but the woman officer started to shout and yell at me whenever I asked her any questions.

When I asked her about my computers which the police had taken from my house, she told me harshly they would return it within 1-2 months.

Soon after I had given my statment, I was released. I have since apologised to the victim and have behaved myself.

Many months have passed and I have not received my computer and other items taken by the police. When I enquire the police tell me the "investigation is continuing" or "wait till you are charged'.

I hope that more people who have had similar experiences with the police come forward and make it know.