UK: Roger Sylvester police officer promoted:
01 August 2001
To the dismay of the family of Roger Sylvester, who died after being restrained by eight Metropolitan police officers in January 1999, one of the policemen involved in the incident has been promoted. The family is still waiting a full account of Roger's death and an inquest to establish the cause of his death has yet to be set (see Statewatch vol 9 no 1, vol 10 no 6). Commenting on the promotion Roger's mother, Sheila Sylvester said: "We were told all 9 officers were on desk duty. No one had the decency or compassion to inform or consult us... of this promotion. We feel we have been treated with contempt. All this, whilst still grieving with our lives on ‘hold’ and before an inquest. Once again the Met. does what is best for itself and not for the people it serves."
The Roger Sylvester campaign, PO Box 25908, London N18 1WU.