So he deserved to be beaten?

He crossed the road, then was told, he was walking away, didn't realise it was a policeman.

Get off your high horse. Okay, so he's definately old fashioned and he may even be a prigg, but I doubt it. You on the other hand seem to be attacking him because he is English and Upper-Middle Class, seems like a bit of post-colonial prejudice is left over.

In Britain a Policeman would say, "Sir, you cannot cross there." He would not shout it from the other side of the street. Make fun of saying "sir" but it's there for a reason. In Britain if someone calls you "Sir" and you're not in uniform or a resturant/hotel he/she is a Policeman, you can tell even without seeing them.