UK Policing News

Owners that have had cars stolen are being financially penalised The owners of stolen cars are being sued by some police officers in Northern Ireland who were injured when chasing car thieves. It is understood civil claims have been made against the car owners, even though they were not involved in the thefts or crashes. The officers are claiming for injuries sustained when stopping the cars. The owner's no-claims bonus can be affected and their car insurance premiums can increase as a result. Bill Rooney is one of those affected. He had his car stolen from his north Belfast home last July. He was still awake in the early hours of the morning when he heard his car b…

Two men have died in a car crash during a police pursuit in Haringey, London. The men died early this morning after the Audi car they were in collided with a bridge on Seven Sisters Road near to the junction with St Ann's Road. The 30-year-old driver of the Audi tried to make off from the scene on foot, police said. But he was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and driving whilst disqualified. He has been taken to hospital, but his injuries are not believed to be serious. Police say that officers on routine patrol at around 2am became suspicious of a car that appeared to make off at speed when passed in the opposite direction. After several …

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-21904422 I would perhaps be exaggerating if I said I had a very low opinion of the IPCC - my opinion, if I'm honest, isn't even that high. It's not that they investigate the Police, it's that they are simply inept and inefficient. They are not fit for purpose. Mr Burrell died almost two years ago to the day (March 27th 2011). It is not acceptable, by any one's standards, that this matter remains unresolved after such a length of time for both the family of Mr Burrell and the Officers concerned in the investigation. How is it remotely possible to have any faith whatsoever in this outfit? I imagine the family despair - a…

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2013/mar/26/police-constantly-under-attack-government

Is this the action of a government who knows they will not be re-elected? The government has announced that the North East's most important rail route will be run by a private company within two years. Bidding opened today for the East Coast mainline, and already Virgin Trains has expressed an interest. The government were advised to wait until after the elections, however are rushing it through to ensure the decision is made before the next elections. To me this stinks of a government who know they are on borrowed time. They are going against advice and judging by the last shambles they would be well advised to take their time and save tax payers millions. They are no…

Lawyers acting for Lincolnshire's suspended chief constable have told a court the decision to suspend him was "unlawful".Neil Rhodes was suspended in February by the county's police and crime commissioner (PCC), Alan Hardwick. Mr Hardwick said the suspension related to Mr Rhodes' alleged support for an employee on another force. Mr Rhodes' legal team argued the PCC had overreacted and he should be reinstated. The case has been adjourned until Thursday when the judge is expected to give his ruling. Suspension 'reasonable' Mr Rhodes was suspended over allegations he helped a senior Muslim lawyer from West Yorkshire Police use his ethnicity to pursue damages following h…

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2300398/Policeman-wore-glasses-20-years-discovers-bad-eyesight-actually-caused-BRAIN-TUMOUR.html Policeman who wore glasses for 20 years discovers his bad eyesight was actually caused by a BRAIN TUMOUR A policeman who wore glasses for 20 years now has 20:20 vision after surgery to remove a golf ball-sized tumour from his brain. Chris Smith, 35, had worn glasses since the age of 12, but is now able to see perfectly. The father-of-one had only just returned from honeymoon with his wife Samantha in 2011 when he began suffering headaches. ‘We had been to Jamaica and I had put them down to too many cocktails,’ said Mr Smit…

Police used an unsuitable level of force before the death of a schizophrenic man in custody, an inquest jury has found. Karate expert Sean Rigg, 40, was held after claims he had attacked passers-by in Balham, south London, in 2008. He died at Brixton police station. Southwark Coroner's Court heard he had not been taking his medication. Returning a narrative verdict, jurors found police handling of the death had showed an "absence of leadership". Coroner Andrew Harris said: "The level of force used on Sean Rigg whilst he was restrained in the prone position at the Weir estate was unsuitable. "In addition, there was an absence of leadership. "This led to a failure to …

Maybe I'm being cynical but the latest government reforms outlined here http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-21922998 in the name of improving patient care also give the NHS/HMG the opportunity to save money and to give healthcare recruitment the equivalent of what is happening in the police i.e. having to be an internal candidate before starting to train as a nurse. Nurses will have to work for one year as a health care assistant before starting to train as a nurse, presumably on a lower starting salary than they currently have. This is similar to having to be a PCSO or a special before being accepted into the police.

Looks pretty certain to me that the new permanent HQ will be in Glasgow once this is built...

Stella English is trying to sue Lord Sugar at an employment tribunal for constructive dismissal. I've not seen anything on the news today about any result. Does anyone know what has happened at all (if anything) ?

A photograph of a uniformed policeman apparently fast asleep on the job has been posted on Facebook. Police chiefs in Greater Manchester have launched an investigation after the embarrassing picture was spotted on the site. It shows the Salford-based PC, 26, slumped on a sofa in full uniform with his eyes closed. It is understood to have been taken following an incident which saw officers called out in the city. Sleeping policeman: The photograph, which shows the Salford-based officer in full uniform apparently fast asleep, was posted on Facebook The caption on the picture names the PC, with 'expert scene management' inserted as his middle name. Underneath the ph…

Link to story - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-21918501 New interview with CC House and a few more details of what to expect a week tomorrow when we become the big happy family of Police Scotland Edit: Remark withdrawn to keep everyone happy