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Legal observer training
- 1. Legal Observer TrainingClimate Camp Legal Team
- 2. What is aLegal Observer? Not an Activist No legal status Not immune from arrest
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- 4. Key Roles Monitorarrests Be a police deterrent Reassure & brief activists Collect information for use after the event
- 5. What to observe:5 W’s Who? What? Where? When? Why?
- 6. What to observe:Police Police movements What the police say Police numbers
- 7. Can I haveyour number?
- 8. Police numbers: .Territorial Support Group = U e.g. U246
- 9. Arrest: A, B,B, C, D, E Alias Base Basis Call Describe Evidence gathering
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- 12. Affinity Group DirectAction
- 13. Stop & SearchYou do not have to give your details
- 14. You do nothave to give your details
- 15. Use of recordingequipment Always take a notepad Dictaphone? No video
- 16. Check list: AppearanceFootwear ID A watch Notebook Pen and pencil Mobile phone (secure) Map (not-incriminating) Food & drink?
- 17. What do wedo post event ?
- 18. Get involved Signup to an email list. Contact: [email_address] Website: www.climatecamp.org.uk
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Editor's Notes
- #2 Overview: Introductions Overview to the team’s activities Film of the last Climate Camp Focus on the practicalities Q&A
- #3 Jason Frances Non-practicising solicitor, worked in city, no experience of criminal law, no previous exposure to police. CC at Heathrow Shocked enough to return this year to Kingsnorth. Interesting/fun Legal team formed of volunteers, some legal backgrounds and some not, varying degrees of time and energy to contribute over the course of the year and is supported at large events by large numbers (hopefully) of volunteer legal observers who the team train.
- #4 Other photos of dancing LOs?
- #5 The role: During - information, training and advice to protesters (bust cards – stop & searches, arrest) monitor arrests, track through custody, where & getting legal advice, and getting collected train & support legal observers link with the media team accurate information on what going on gather witness statements, films, photos After - provide as requested for those facing charges, bringing PI claims or wrongful arrest claims or complaints - activity using legal/political/media avenues for campaigning… Video of last climate camp: Climate Camp – week of education, workshops etc, example of sustainable living, consensus decision making with day of action at the end: large procession, direct action: banner drops, lock ons – sticking with superglue, Heathrow – on day of action: violence, obstruction to processions, kettling (containment of protestors for hours – 4), before that police monitoring – microphone, helicopters, police presence Kingsnorth Significant change in tactics, blanket use of s1 PACE individual grounds for suspicion and seizure of property. Police evidence gathers recording the searches and at same time attempting to get peoples names and addresses
- #6 Think about better pic to use for example -
- #8 Everything a police officer does should be in the lawful exercise of a legal power… Many criminal obstruction charges are dropped because… not clear police officer was in course of his lawful duties So, useful to ask at time of highest officer present what power acting under and why and record it. So we teach how to identify ranks.
- #9 Everything a police officer does should be in the lawful exercise of a legal power… Many criminal obstruction charges are dropped because… not clear police officer was in course of his lawful duties So, useful to ask at time of highest officer present what power acting under and why and record it. So we teach how to identify ranks. In make records of police activity – useful to make a note of number of the officer involved. No legal duty to indentify themselves if asked or to where number. Although in code of practice for many forces. In practice, often absent especially if in riot gear… Ask politely and find officer in charge. Take photo. Not known how the provision will be interpreted in practice.
- #10 We train using: A – alias – name will use at the custody desk – give bust card B – base/basis – where are they being taken and why? Ask. Need information to locate them. C – call it in to Arrestee Support line – manned by legal team D – Describe – make notes of what happened before and during E – Evidence gather – find other witnesses and get their details, journalists footage get their card Over 140 arrests in August, most dropped, some still proceeding. LO will give evidence in court if needed. Arrestee Support line – 24/7 monitoring, in touch with custody sergeants and lawyers, checking welfare OK and making arrangements for being met when released (normally middle of night with no monies or phone and bail conditions prevent return to camp to collect their stuff). Bust card – advises on No comment interview. Legal rights – particularly right to read pace code…got more blankets as a result!