General Policing Discussions

Hey guys. Just wanted to know about your experiences of giving evidence in court. How frequent is it and how much did the defence lawyer roast you? Just asking because today (studying Policing) we had a mock court exercise in a court room. I was giving evidence and when it came to the defence cross examining me, it was hell. Very uncomfortable!!

Hi guys and girls! I've just got promotion to SGTs and I was just wondering who else would go for promotion? Do you think it's worth it etc?

Colleagues and staff from Staffordshire Police have paid tribute following the tragic death of PC David Beech after a house fire in Tunstall. PC Beech, a 30-year-old local response officer based at Newcastle, was discovered in his home following a domestic house fire on Sunday morning . He had served with the force since November 2008. Prior to that he served as a Special Constable. Neighbours raised the alarm at around 11.30am yesterday. His death is not being treated as suspicious and a report will be prepared for HM Coroner. Staffordshire Police's Chief Constable, Mike Cunningham, said: "His family were immensely proud of Dave and his exceptional service in our p…

Hi all just a quick question, has anybody recently attended a PCSO assessment day for Kent police. I was wondering what happens as I have heard different things from different people. What kind of tested etc do you do and what are they like. Not looking for answers to assessment day just a heads up of what to except if I get that far. Thanks

Just before Christmas I was on a weekend away and was out for the night when I ended up getting arrested. I was kept in overnight and then got interviewed in the morning and was released on bail with a date to return. Stupidly I didn't go back and sort of hoped that everything would be forgotten about but the police came to my brother's house (address I gave) looking for me. I knew this could happen but hoped it wouldn't but want to deal with it now instead of getting arrested. Just looking to know what to expect - do I need a solicitor - just had the one at the police station last time. What would usually happen if I go to the police station now to get this sorted out…

This presenter is my hero

What representation do specials have for misconduct charges? As far as I was aware there used to be a scheme available that would cover specials in relation to misconduct charges. I have now been told it only applies to Gross Misconduct or UPP. Does this not leave a little bit of a gap in the protection for specials? Regulars would be able to get assistance from the Fed for both misconduct and gross misconduct.

So, we all know what Code G states that we have to have a necessity in order for an arrest to be lawful and that we are supposed to be telling the detained person what the necessity for their arrest is as soon as it is practical to do so. However, I have always been an avid watchers of police documentaries, and I can count on one finger the number of times I've actually heard the necessity being given. Yes, I know that often it's all action and the necessity may be given later on, and sometime it may be edited out, however this is not always the case - even when it is calm and the DP is compliant Code G isn't being stated. Obviously I'm going to be following my training…

Just wondering if there are any openly gay specials in the force? How do you feel about being a gay officer? Dose it impact on your work or are you treated differently by colleagues/public? Thanks!

Hey all - Been a while since I posted but I thought i'd get a discussion going on something that happened to me very recently. I won't go into much detail of the event because it is largely irrelevant, however, I arrested for Drunk and Dis. and upon requesting space in custody I was asked to find another offence to arrest for since we are trying to reduce D&D's on the borough. Now, it wasn't said as blatantly as that but the message came across - do not arrest for D&D. Eventually went with S4a POA as it did also fit the bill. I have also HEARD stories (not witnessed myself) of attempted burglary going down as crim dam, etc, to manipulate crime stats - is it …

As some of you maybe aware, most probably not, I am in the New South Wales Police Force (NSWPF) down under and there has been much discussion about ride along's. This is for those that do not know where a police officer from another country does a shift with police officers from the country they are visiting. This is done by the officers own free will and in their own time without pay etc. This enables the officer who is having a ride along to see the techniques employed by other countries around the world and the type of work done by the colleagues in blue in different nations. Anyway, in Australia we don't do ride alongs for other nations, however police in the USA do.…

Hi guy's. At the moment I have applied for the Met (also have app form for Devon and Cornwall). The only drama I can see me failing is that I am suffering from depression. I have the depression well under control with medication. I have acted on suicidal thoughts in the past, but obviously haven't succeeded. I this going to be a problem in the medical? Cheers, GD

Hi all. I was watching a program currently on Channel 5 called 'Can't Pay? We'll take it away!", following the work of High Court Enforcement Officers and people who carry out repossessions on vehicles etc. One thing I have noticed is the High Court Enforcement officers uniform. They are seen in parts of the program wearing a uniform that resembles that of a Police uniform, except they are not displaying the word 'POLICE'. I understand that they are not doing anything illegal as aslong as they don't display patches with 'Police' on it they are within the law. It got me thinking though, do you think this is right? There are so many organisations now that's uniform r…

I mean, should you go on/have gone on to the regulars, would you mark your service as a special constable as the beginning of your career?

As a BTP officer I regularly see people "badging" it through railway barrier lines. This topic hasn't been started to debate the rights and wrongs and the do's and don'ts of this practice. All the Police Forces have their own rules as do the various train operating companies (TOCS) so we'll park that one for now. I have heard via the grapevine about instances where staff have questioned people or let them through with "Pseudo Warrant Cards" and badges that looked like a police badge "but didn't recognise the force" type scenario. I've always wondered what they meant but whilst surfing a popular online auction site I found the following:- Now you'd really have to look…