What do people think of this

[Cathus]

Ap4a,

You don't speak for most police officers, and neither do I, I speak for myself.

What I'd prefer is that people did what they were lawfully told to do without causing problems for others, that people brought up their kids to have respect for others, that people didn't find it acceptable to tell others to f-off & that pressure from everyone else would be enough to shame someone into conforming to acceptable behaviour, and that there would be no requirement or the police to become involved at all, but that shoud they have all failed, the law will protect someone who decides to use force to assist another in what should have been a lawful ejection from a train.

And the evidence is that if you are not willing to step in to a situation where someone so being disrespectful, or not physically assaulting anyone, then you're not likely to intervene when someone is being assaulted or having a heart attack; there are generally people who will intervene and people who won't.
Incidentally, there is evidence that an lot more people will intervene provided they are not the first to do so, I.e. they will support someone else intervening but won't be the first to do so.

Personally, I'm thankful that some people are willing to stand up and do something, even if it goes wrong sometimes.

[OldBoy]

Originally Posted by ap4a

I don't think that's the point. I think the point is that so many people think that society would be better if all the big people went around beating up smaller people for swearing.

Don't confuse stepping in to help someone who is being mugged, or raped, or otherwise physically assaulted as being the same as physically assaulting someone who is a bit disrespectful.

That is the point. Research has shown that by been disrespectful to people leads down the slippery slop to bigger crimes. That's why that New York cop, Bill Bratton, adopted a policy of zero torrance. It worked. If you get away with small things then you will try to push it further. It's human nature after all. To make society work you need rules and those rules to be obeyed at all times.

[GeoffWessex]

There's still a chance the judge/magistrate gives him a small fine and awards 'damages' of, say, 50p.

[Cathus]

actually, I've read that he hasn't been charged and that a file has been sent to the procurator fiscal on both those involved to see of they wish to prosecute either of the men in this incident.

It may be that he isn't prosecuted at all or if he is the court accepts that he acted lawfully.

[Ashleyj]

Originally Posted by OldBoy

You fail to understand that most people, regardless of age, are decent and law-abiding and it's only a very very small number who aren't.

Very true.

But that small percentage that aren't seems to get larger as the years go by and unless something is done to curb this trend in the not too distant future the minority will become the majority.

[andydo]

all im gonna say is adrenaline is a funny thing once it kicks in everything else goes out the door(literally)

[2Beers]

Apparently he has been charged and since the incident has been working from home and also the student has been reported to the procurator fiscal to see if he also will be charged.