Senior supervisors must ensure that they take their role of enforcing discipline seriously in the wake of public anger at police behaviour in public order situations.

Speaking at the Future of Policing seminar in London, Jane Furniss, CEO of the Independent Police Complaints Commission, said that sergeants needed to make sure their subordinates were properly identifiable if they were to maintain trust on the streets.

Furniss’s comments followed dissatisfaction from delegates that officers had hidden their numerals at the G20 protests in the capital as well as other demonstrations. The transgressions were captured on new media such as mobile phones.

While surveys suggested that a large proportion of the public were unsympathetic to protestors, the CEO said this did not mean the police should prevent their right to take to the streets. “It is likely that we will see more large-scale events,” she added.

Furniss was speaking as the Metropolitan Police Authority Civil Liberties Panel announced a package of recommendations to help address public order strategies.

Key themes in the document include the need for good teamwork, training and supervision as well as clear communication between leaders and their subordinates.

The report, which is being presented to the full Authority for ratification on March 25, also concludes that the Metropolitan Police must strive for better communication with the media, ensuring officers are able to recognise the press and respect its obligations.

Victoria Borwick, Chair of the Civil Liberties Panel, added “To maintain public confidence in the way protests are policed is to find a balance between civil liberties and the need to maintain public safety and order through proportionate policing.”