"I think racism played a significant part in this."
According to a former Met Police Chief Superintendent, racism played a “significant part” in two men being violently detained at Greater Manchester Airport.
Shocking footage showed a police officer kicking one of the men in the face before stomping on his head as he lay on the floor.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) later said the officer had been suspended from all duties.
The force referred its actions to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
Dal Babu, who was in the Met for 30 years, said the video of the arrest was “totally appalling”.
On BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Mr Babu said the force used was “totally excessive” on a man who was “effectively defenceless”.
He said: “I think racism played a significant part in this.
“This is a very, very serious incident, and at a time when trust in the police is so low, this is another example of an incident where people will be further concerned.
“In the old days, it used to be minorities, used to be LGBTQ people, used to be young people, but now I think no matter where you go, more and more people have less confidence in the police.”
Mr Babu thought the Home Office would be “very interested” in the case.
He continued: “This is a really significant incident that really needs to be dealt with effectively, and I’m not sure that Greater Manchester police has the skills necessary to manage working with the communities to try and reduce the tension.”
GMP said three of their officers had been subjected to a “violent assault” at Greater Manchester Airport’s Terminal 2.
This included one female officer sustaining a broken nose.
Four men were arrested for affray and assaulting emergency service workers.
Approximately 200 people protested outside Rochdale Police Station, with some shouting:
“GMP shame on you.”
Assistant Chief Constable Wasim Chaudhry said the protest “concluded safely, without incident”, adding:
“We understand the immense feeling of concern and worry that people feel about our response and fully respect their right to demonstrate their views peacefully.
“We have spent the evening listening to community feedback and will continue to engage with communities and elected members to maintain strong partnership links and understand local views.”
However, Dal Babu said it was “quite worrying” that an Asian officer was put forward to speak to the press about the incident.
He said:
“It’s not the chief constable, it’s not Steve Watson, it’s Asian officers.”
“You can count on one hand the number of senior Asian officers in Greater Manchester police.
“There is a little bit of a cynical attempt to put forward an Asian officer to try to say ‘We’re dealing with this’, but this incident is over 48 hours in, and I think Greater Manchester police have been slow out the blocks in understanding the seriousness of this.”
Rochdale MP Paul Waugh said he would meet with the family involved, describing the video as “truly shocking and disturbing”.
He said: “Like many who have seen this clip, I am extremely concerned.
“I have had it confirmed that the man arrested is a Rochdale resident and I hope to meet the family as soon as possible.
“It’s right that the police officer concerned has been removed from duties and that this incident has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct. I expect a thorough and swift investigation.”
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