Man 'felt degraded' after 'power-hungry' cops branded him an 'idiot' as he walked to work
A "DEGRADED" man has slammed "power-hungry" cops who branded him an "idiot" and threatened him with arrest as he walked to work.
Video taken by shocked Nino Romano, 21, shows two officers in a car enforcing Covid restrictions in Solihull pull him over and ask what he's doing and for his name.
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But the situation quickly escalated when he refused to give his ID and one of officers called him an idiot and threatened him with arrest.
After the video circulated on social media, the force began an investigation and later apologised for the officer’s conduct which “fell far below what we would expect”.
Nino has now blasted cops, who eventually let him go after he handed over his name.
He told the BBC: "I've just got used to it, that's how the police act to the younger generation.
"I think they targeted me because of the clothes I was wearing – a tracksuit and a coat.
"I'm going to carry on going to work, but the fact they feel entitled to stop people [is] a bit degrading; it's not nice at all.
"There were so many people around, why pick me?"
Footage shows the 21-year-old initially being quizzed by the cops about what he's up to.
Mr Romano says he is local and on his way to work but refuses to give them his name, leading to an argument with one of the cops
When Mr Romano asks the male officer to turn his body cam, he replies: “We’ll be dealing with this in a different manner now.”
The officer then steps out of the car and approaches and tells him: “Under coronavirus legalisation, you have to provide me with some details otherwise you’re going to be arrested.”
Mr Romano asks the officer to maintain social distancing and “back up” but is adamant about not giving his details to the officer, who accuses him of lying.
“You’re arguing with me, that gives me reasonable suspicion that you’re telling me lies,” says the cop.
“We’re the police, we’re not just someone, you idiot.”
The video ends with Mr Romano being led by the arm into the as he protests about “harassment”.
“Sit in there, we’ll see what you’ll say at the station then. You’re going to be late for work,” says the officer.
The government says police can stop members of the public to ask their name, their purpose in the area and where they are going but people do not have to stop or answer.
And not handing over the details can't be used as the basis for search or arrest if there is no other reason to suspect a person.
West Midlands Police later said it had reviewed the footage, taken at Dorridge train station yesterday morning.
The force said “it’s clear that the officer’s conduct fell far below what we would expect” and was “not the face” of West Midlands Police adding “we will deal with the situation”.
“His manner was not acceptable. The officer has accepted his behaviour was not up to our high standards and we will address this as part of an action plan for his learning and development.
The statement said the officer was on patrol with a colleague and part of their duties was ensuring people are adhering to Covid restrictions.
But it said: "The man explained he was heading to work – that’s clearly a justifiable reason to be out and about and there was no suspicion he had committed any offences.
“As such, he should not have been challenged in the way he was.”
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