Protesters have laid a complaint against police for what they say were heavy-handed tactics during an anti-war protest against the occupation of Iraq.
The
complaint comes after a sergeant used a two-handed throat hold on a
teenager at the demonstration in Auckland.
The policeman's action, captured on video and by a press
photographer, has been questioned by former police superintendent
Bryan Rowe.
The grip was used on the 16-year-old as he tried to hold the doors of a police car open to stop them driving away after arresting another protester.
A claim by the officer that it was a legitimate hold, has been challenged.
After looking at the footage, Rowe says any force that is used has to be reasonable. "After looking at that photo, it looks like there were perhaps other options available.
"He was obviously close enough to grab his clothing and I think that would have been a better option to grab the clothing and drag him away rather than grabbing him round the throat," Rowe says.
The youth wasn't arrested.
Another protester Simon Oosterman says another police officer did the same thing to him in the back of a police car. "I told him it was painful and he just kept on doing it. He told me I'd probably faint soon so he rubbed around my throat to get the circulation going."
Oosterman had no obvious bruising to his neck.
Protesters
are planning to lodge a complaint over the officers' actions. There
was no comment from police.
