In the latest case of Dutch police violence, an officer used excessive force on a pregnant woman. His defense? He didn’t know she was pregnant.
We’ve all seen the horrific video: a Dutch police officer throws a woman to the ground during an arrest. Later, she is dragged across the floor by her hood.
In a statement released by the police, the officer “did not realise at that moment that she was pregnant.” Additionally, he “indicates that he would have acted differently if this had been the case.”
How anyone could see this as a defence for such brutal behaviour remains to be seen.
Undeniably, the fact that this woman was pregnant at the time adds a relevant layer of inhumanity to the actions of the officer. But it begs the question: isn’t the situation inhumane enough on its own?
The mere fact that the Dutch police found it relevant to mention the officer’s (not quite believable, I might add) ignorance of her condition is baffling. As if throwing a woman to the ground with this kind of force would somehow be more acceptable if she were not pregnant?
It could be argued that the focus on this aspect of the incident detracts from the greater issue.
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Over the past few years, there have been countless examples of police brutality from Dutch law enforcement. According to the NOS, two women were beaten and clobbered by a police officer responding to a tense dispute in central Utrecht just last February.
Ultimately, debating whether or not this woman was visibly pregnant or whether the officer was aware is nothing more than a distraction from the pattern of abuse and brutality that has shown itself in Dutch law enforcement.
Consider this a call to action: rather than disputing the details of who knew what, the Dutch police system needs to treat the event with the appropriate concern.
Others agree: in a post on Reddit, one user says, “I find that really strange. So you only care about that woman’s safety when she is carrying another life? As long as there is no fetus, you can suddenly take down just about anyone?”
Another user stated, “He should have acted differently anyway, pregnant or not.”
The consensus is clear. As a police officer, don’t throw a non-violent woman to the ground (whether she’s pregnant or not).
What do you think of the police officer’s excuse? Let us know in the comments.
