Police, are they any use?????

[beast5680]

well more news today, the shop got raided all the stuff pulled out and photographed :dance: whole van load of coppers and 2 cid cars apparently, bloke then taken away and shop closed up

[Llanigraham]

So this wasn't good Police activity then?

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/countryside-farming-news/countryside-news/2009/09/15/police-helicopter-joins-in-quarry-raid-on-illegal-off-road-bikers-91466-24687077/

[zebidee]

Comment on The Register today: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/09/24/met_apology/comments/#c_588046

There are two reasons I can come up with that the "good copper" stories don't get published. One, being basically decent to the public is what they SHOULD be doing, so even if 999 out of a thousand cases are of this sort, they're still all "dog bites man" stories. Ho-hum. They don't make good news because that's what they should be doing.

The second is related; except in cases of true heroism, no one bothers to report such stories to the news. Hell, when I was a teenage kid my car died with an electrical problem in the middle of a 5 lane street. I was in the turn lane, didn't look out of place, so it wasn't until I rolled down my window and waved frantically at a passing squad car that I actually got any attention. When the cop did come over and find out the problem, he a) blocked traffic, b) helped me push my car off the street, and c) gave me a ride home. All he was required to do was a). Did I call the papers? No. I did tell friends and family though. It's also the one event that reminds me that not all coppers should be strung up from trees; it's just the ones that should that you end up hearing about.

[Lord Shagg-Pyle]

My apologies for not replying to this thoroughly entertaing post, but I've been away on a highly intensive doughnut eating and coffee drinking course. You will all no doubt be chuffed to know that I can now identify several different types of pastry based confections at half a mile. It is all very well being able to do that, but of course it is very difficult to lever my fat arse out of the Patrol car these days to be able to pick on poor innocent motorists, while ignoring the various rapes, murders and terrorist incidents that are happening all around me.
Oh, by the way, thank you all for the 37p a day that you all pay towards my wages, it comes in very useful. If you really want to have my job, you are welcome to it and you are more than welcome to try and shove my 'badge' in a dark unsunlit place, but don't forget I have a very large number of fascist bully boy mates, who are also sat around not doing anything at the moment and would love to come and introuduce you to our hairy crocodile mates.

A slight hint of sarcasm? Possibly, but don't forget it's what we are good at. We practice it regularly. I personally hold the trophy for it. I have even been known to make a politician weep with self pity.

Well, where shall I start? I have a slight feeling of deja-vu about all this, as I think I responded in a similar vein to that post on MC as well. At the risk of repeating myself, here goes.

If you have a complaint about the actions of the Police, go to the local station and speak to the Station Inspector. Get a reference number, and make sure that it is followed up. If still no joy, phone up the the Police HQ and ask for the Vampire Department, sorry, Professional Standards Department. Its very simple. Don't put your gripes on here, take it to the people who might do something about it.

Lack of action at the time. It may be that action is not taken at the time as it is part of a bigger operation. Why nick the monkey when you can get the organ grinder instead.

I don't profess to know the first thing about welding, bakery, artificial insemination of bovines or other forms of work. If I did I would be a real smartarse and be making a lot more money. What I do try to do is get a better understanding of something that I don't know about about. It stops me making sweeping assumptions.

If you want to know how the system works, why not find out? Ask if it possible to get a visit to the local station and see what goes on. You might even get a chance to try on the handcuffs. And No, I don't take them home at the weekend, No my head does not go all the way to the top of my helmet, No a pregnant woman can't take a wazz in said helmet, and Yes I do think I'm [edit: naughty] hard, and I will gladly take my uniform off but only if you pay me lots of money and call me Geraldine.

I digress.

How can the Police stop crime? There is no simple solution. If I had it, again would I be here? I think not.

How can you help to reduce crime?
Mob rule? That's a sensible well thought out response.
Gangs of armed vigilnate citizens? Look across The Pond and see the results.
A Police State? They tried that in a certain part of Europe about 70 years ago. Not very popular from what I recall.
How about this for a novel idea? Join The Police or the Special Constabulary! It's not that hard really.

I won't come out with all the usual stuff about lack of numbers, lack of resources, etc etc, as you've heard it all before and quite frankly, I get bored with writing it.

You want change in the system? Vote for it, lobby for it, go and see your local Police commander and voice your opinions to them. Change does not happen overnight. It takes time.


In relation to the title of the post.

Yes, The Police are of use.
Here are some of the uses of a Police Officer

Social worker and marraige guidance counsellor.
Plumber, when old ladies have leaks in their house and they can't afford to pay for an emergency call out. I could start a thread on that one!
Finder of lost children.
Fixer of cars.
Litter picker. You try picking up someone's brain with a pair of rubber gloves on!
Controller of drunk homicidal yobbery. Want to blame the Police for that? Try blaming society.

The list is endless.

I also have suffered bad experiences with the Police.

They once misdirected my pay.
I had to deal with my son being badly beaten up by a gang, and then being told by two colleagues that there was nothing they could do as he had got up afterwards and thumped the ringleader. Did I seek alternative justice? No. Did I abuse my authority? No. 'Why not? you may ask. Because I knew that justice would eventually be done. If anyone says 'justice was done because he was the son of a cop, Tch, thats the old boy network for you. I bet you get let off speeding tickets as well', my response will be 'Get a life and grow up, you ignoramus'.
I had to deal with a fatal crash when off duty, after the control room misdrected my call to them, because they assumed I was on duty. Ever had someone die in your arms, knowing there was chuff all you could do about it? If you have, I pity you. Do you still get the guilt feelings? I do.

I am not a hero, so please don't patronise me by calling me one.
Heroes are the people out in Afghanistan or other 'conflict zones.
Heroes are people who have the guts to stand up to criminals and give statements to help the Police.
Heroes are victims of crimes who have to stand up in court and relive their ordeal, to have it picked apart by some smart arsed lawyer.
Heroes are people who overcome something against all odds.

So, there you have it. If any of the respondees are offended, upset, traumatised, or otherwise hacked off, then please either post on the forum where I can taunt you a second time, or PM me. That way I shall ignore it and not bother replying to it, which is apparently what 'We' do.


I must go now, I have to pick the 'hundreds and thousands' of my shirt.

[Frankie-Boy]

 :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:

Thank-you LSP, very well put.

So there you have it.

I hope that has answered everyone's questions, if it hasn't then go to your local cop-shop and voice your opinion there where individual cases can be reviewed.

[Mark Y]

LSP, Well said that man.

[LiftedDisco]

LSP.... It's a shame you didn't make it to the Birthday Bash as I would have had to force beers upon you until we both had horrible headaches...

You make I laff  :lol:

If you fancy a little after dinner speaking spot, the Mud Club Christmas Dinner (open to all, but held in the fair county of Northamptonshire) could be yours for the evening!

Many thanks for your sense and spirited approach

Now, in support of your research into pastry based goods, I'm off for a Dutch waffle... you know, the things like corrugated card with caramel through them!

[hairyasswelder]

Well spoken LSP, I wouldnt do your job for double money.  You are welcome to your 37p.

[Lord Shagg-Pyle]

Now, in support of your research into pastry based goods, I'm off for a Dutch waffle... you know, the things like corrugated card with caramel through them!

I've heard about those things. Not high on the list or preferred items. They tend to slip out of my hands and get stuck under the brake pedal during high speed pursuits.
Iced buns are far better. I can get two in my mouth at once. Breathing is a problem, but then again I like a challenge.

[Saffy]

Now, in support of your research into pastry based goods, I'm off for a Dutch waffle... you know, the things like corrugated card with caramel through them!

Iced buns are far better. I can get two in my mouth at once. Breathing is a problem, but then again I like a challenge.

that's why American style donuts got a breath hole in middle

[Lord Shagg-Pyle]

Now, in support of your research into pastry based goods, I'm off for a Dutch waffle... you know, the things like corrugated card with caramel through them!

Iced buns are far better. I can get two in my mouth at once. Breathing is a problem, but then again I like a challenge.

that's why American style donuts got a breath hole in middle

But to make use of the hole effectively, it would have to be placed in the orifice vertically. The only person that would be able to do that effectively would be Cherie Blair. :shock:

[Mutz]

Now, in support of your research into pastry based goods, I'm off for a Dutch waffle... you know, the things like corrugated card with caramel through them!

Iced buns are far better. I can get two in my mouth at once. Breathing is a problem, but then again I like a challenge.

that's why American style donuts got a breath hole in middle

But to make use of the hole effectively, it would have to be placed in the orifice vertically. The only person that would be able to do that effectively would be Cherie Blair. :shock:

Or an American!!!!!!

[dreadnought110]

Well said LSP i have helped the police in the past and they was always grateful (even got a letter of the chief!) i will continue to help where i can but i couldn't do your job how you stand up to some of the arrogant little people i will never know? Keep up the good work and total respect to all of them. :)

[Lord Shagg-Pyle]

 how you stand up to some of the arrogant little people i will never know?  :)

I usually stand up to them on my feet. That is of course unless they are very little. Then I usually kneel to them, but my helmet can be very intimidating, so they usually run away screaming. Which is handy really, because that is what I usually do as well.
It kinda breaks the tension.

[muddy4x4]

Ok Being honest I`m normally quick to add to the negative comments BUT

Yesterday I had a bike accident, I woman ran into me at a junction. I was shunted 7 foot onto a very busy road.
My bike ended up on its side and I was lucky I was`nt run over
The police arrived and arranged for a paramedic to look me over.
As I`ve never been in a traffic accident before, I did`nt know what to do.
So the police helped to swap insurance details.
They even offered to follow me home as my bike was`nt road worthy.
Now I can`t say a bad word.
Thank you

[paul and sam]

LSP    :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: