Today's Clash With Petty Authority...

**Official complaint: ***** ********

Hello,

I'm writing to formally complain about the behaviour of one of your
security staff, ***** ******.

In addition, I'm interested in the rationale behind a blanket 'no cycling'
policy.

At 10am this morning, in a sparsely populated Malet Place, I was riding my
bike from the DMS Watson Entrance out of the campus, at 5mph (I have a
speedo), with due care and attention, and with 3rd party insurance.

I was apprehended by Mr ****** and a colleague - I didn't get his name,
but he displayed far more professionalism than Mr ******.

I was told, aggressively, to "get off". I refused, asked why there is a
draconian cycling policy, and pointed out that motor vehicles, capable of
inflicting far more damage to students, are allowed to drive on the same
stretch of tarmac. Mr ******'s colleague said there had been a number of
cyclist-pedestrian collisions in the past, and I said I thought they
should target irresponsible cyclists.

I was asked to give my name and show my staff ID, both of which I did
without delay. Mr ****** said I was being "obstructive", and I said he
was the one being obstructive, seeing as he'd moved into my path and was
standing astride my front tyre. He said he was "doing his job", and then
I'll admit I called him a "jobsworth prick".

He then grabbed my jacket, at about chest height, moved in closer whilst
starting to do a throttling maneouvre with my jacket (though backed off a
bit before getting to close to my airway), and said, "I'll fucking
throttle ya!"

I said, "That's assault, I want to see your ID."

He refused, and said (at low volume so as not to alert potential witnesses
other than his colleague), whilst pointing to the exit, "If you wanna come
outside with me and show you my ID and fucking deck ya!"

As a compromise, I then started to shuffle out, standing astride my bike -
as I pointed out to them, this takes up less room than me walking it
alongside, and though I've never had a collision with student during my
time working and studying at UCL, I have had students get tangled up in my
pedals and handlebars whilst walking the bike.

Mr ****** again aggressively shouted "get off!" and pushed me back. I
said I was walking - I wasn't sitting on the saddle or connected to the
pedals.

His colleague then diffused the situation by leading Mr ****** away, as he
appeared to be losing his temper even more, and I was definitely preparing
myself to be assaulted again. I asked for his name again, and he provided
it.

I want a written apology from Mr ******, and assurances that he can
moderate his violent personality in future. If he reacts in that manner,
with so little provocation (especially compared to some of the verbal
attitude that UCL students are capable of dishing out) then I think he is,
ironically, a potential threat to the safety of staff, students, and
visitors. As I mentioned, the principle witness to all this was Mr
******'s colleague, and despite his professionalism and more approachable
manner, I'm well aware that he may turn a blind eye. There may also be
CCTV footage.

Regarding the cycling, I'm still interested in the rationale behind a
blanket ban on riding, particularly if it's within the speed limit, with
due care and attention, and in possession of 3rd party insurance.

Thanks for your attention,

Library Services

If the cap fits ...

Christ. There are some arseholes out there.

You should have told him you'd got dog poo on your front tyre.

sounds like someone was having a bit of a temper tamtrum. i dont know where these stupid security guards get such a sense of actual power from
WAC

The head of security's already said he's investigating the matter, and it turns out one of my UCL bosses has a good friend who works for security/safety services... and is also a cyclist :)

This guy should loose his job, I fucking hate people like that, I'm angry just reading this.....he needs to chill out

come to imperial, you can ride anywhere. also much better university.

Malet street you say..

I fancy a detour tonight, little show of support.

let's see what this lovely chap thinks of me..

send an apologetic box of donuts filled with laxatives.

I've decided to walk in via that entrance this afternoon until I get some resolution, partly to appear reasonable, and partly to avoid a violent attack, most likely from behind.

Its your own fault! you should know better than to use clever words like "draconian" to these simple folk. A simple grunt and a few explitives and you would recieved an invite for a kebab, stella, fag and a chance to meet Mrs *****

Mrs ****** told me he has a small and resolutely flaccid penis.

Malet street you say..

I fancy a detour tonight, little show of support.

let's see what this lovely chap thinks of me..

On mass - I'd love to see the look on his simple face

Mrs ****** told me he has a small and resolutely flaccid penis.

i'd breath a small sigh of relief. it wouldn't have been so bad had he taken you to one side and "showed you his id"

If you really want to make his day: Lay an information before your local magistrates court raising a summons for Common Assault.
Then slap that on Mr "Jobsworth Prick's" desk before leaving with a cheery "Toodle pip"

Toodle pip

On mass - .....

1730?
I'm hoping he doesn't go home before then. If Bring memyfix wants me and tells me this chap will still be working, i'm there...

Much as I like the sentiment, I don't think it would 'further the cause'. And I don't know what time his shifts ends.

If I don't get a fucking apology by the end of the month though, I may change my mind...

I fucking hate people like that, I'm angry just reading this.....I needs to chill out

hee!!!

Sounds like a really unpleasant experiance. I hate to think what this guy is like behind the wheel.

This made laugh though

He said he was "doing his job", and then
I'll admit I called him a "jobsworth prick".

Do it!
I can't do this evening as i broke my bike cycling into a car, but now i have mastered the art of cycling quickly into stationary objects come the end of the month i could be of use to your cyclists for justice campaign. (can we come in fancy dress?)

Having a load of cyclists dicking around the grounds will only serve to promote the banning of cyclists. Not a clever move.

I can understand why he stopped you "It's the rules" but he was a total tool about it and should be reprimanded.

get in front of the next critical mass and take it via the campus.

..then shit on his little hut doorstep.

abuse of power like this is crap. I wear a security-like uniform at work (hi-vi jacket, ear piece...etc) and i think it makes you feel either very powerful and aggressive or a sense of humility and you want to help people. I feel the latter but can understand how you can feel the opposite, though i do not find it acceptable and the fucker should be sacked by an institution such as UCL.

clearly this guy feels the first and therefore has a heighten sense of aggression (i don't think that he is angry because of the size of his penis ). They should give him some lesson in humilty - take his uniform away, put him on a halfords mountain bike with flat tyres and a seat that is too low and get him to ride through the university with all but a hi-vi on.!

I hope that guy won't get a new job driving....