General Policing Discussions

So with all this hype about hi visibility policing, making CID wear identifiable uniform etc etc. I was wondering, could the opposite have an equal effect? Make all police covert, all cars covert? My thoughts were: deterrence could exist as the criminals don't know when we're around , crimes in progress and we could possibly catch more 'in the act'.

Hello, Is anyone else attending the assessment centre to join NWP? I am feeling really nervous & trying to book hotels is a nightmare Any tips/advice you can give me about the assessment would be fab as it's the first time I have attended one. Thanks, Sophie

Hey Guys. I m a Special Constable with West Mercia Police. Recently I ve began looking into getting laser surgey for my eyes to correct my vision. I make the minimum requirements for both unaided and corrected vision (or I wouldn't have been able to become a special-constable) - but I m interested in getting better vision. My question is does anyone know the policy on laser-eye-surgery for *existing* specials and regular officers? I.e. How long after the operation you have to wait before you can go back on duty? I know for new applicants its a minimum period of 6 weeks needed after the operation before they can apply. Is it a minimum of 6 weeks after the operation bef…

I raised this idea on another thread and thought it'd make a good thread all on it's own for discussion - do you think it's viable purchasing a 'spy pen' as an extra line of protection against you should you ever be the victim of a malicious complaint? It's no secret that people are recording us more and more, some do it simply to provoke a reaction from us or to show us up in a bad light - people like Charlie Veitch have made a living off of it and receive large amounts of revenue a month from people 'donating' to his cause. A colleague of mine was the one who initially raised the idea with me at work as he had been the victim of a malicious complaint that dragged on f…

Has anyone thought about opting out or actually done it? I'm trying to weigh up the pro's and con's of potentially opting out and putting the money into property instead or similar. Quite a few bobbies at my nick have been talking about it and a couple have even done it. Just wondering what the general view was on here!

Has to be seen to be believed - I cant say I agree with the Guardians take on this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QsWCFIi6aY Moral of the story is - Don't Shoplift.

I've just seen this article: Do you think all Police Officers should wear these? Personally I think it's a good thing; officers can have evidence to prove that they acted legally in circumstances such as this, and hopefully it will provide evidence for the CPS, too, to secure convictions. What do you guys think?

Hello, I was wondering how other specials would feel if the number hours required per month increased to 32 to get more from an already free(ish) service. I know I'd have to hand my badge In as I can't commit to anything like that.

It is possible to do your advanced driving course as a special? Can you then respond to calls with blues & twos. With out having done the course is it possible to drive the cars but without blues?

Hi all; curious to know, since when have HATOs used a 'siren'? I was in a queue on the A14 yesterday, and a Highways vehicle was splitting the lanes with the yellow lights as normal, but accompnied by a loud 'honking', a bit like a mega-blaster car horn but deffo a siren pattern as too regular to be controlled by a human. It worked nicely as far as I could see.

So the years 2020 and your the new Home Secretary, you have inherited a clandestine police service that needs dragging up to date. The credit crunch is over but funds are still tight however the PM will invest in new technologies and innovative ideas that reduce cost and increase efficiency. What would you do? A handheld UAV in every patrol car? to allow officers on the ground instant air support in public order, offenders making off, securing a scene, etc ( technology readily available from a shop for £15) A unified police service of England & Wales? with truly borderless policing, less cost and more efficiency with national working practices? Routine arming of t…

I have just found out that I have passed the assessment centre for Specials! Problem is, I am going on holiday for 2 weeks in July. I assumed that the training would start around August, but I've heard that it will probably be earlier. How long have people waited in the past between finding out they passed and starting the training? Is there any way round it if it is going to start before/during my holiday?- maybe training with the next recruitment group? Thanks x

I was wondering if anyone could tell me about the most recent shift pattern PSO's at Surrey work on. I believe TPT shift patterns are in a 5 week shift block and PSO shifts are similar but know nothing more. Appreciate any help.

I see a lot of people talking about how people should only become a Special for the right reasons but what are the "right" reasons? How do we decide what the right reasons are? How do we stop people applying for the wrong reasons? Is there even such a thing as the right reason to join? It might be a bit of an abstract idea for a topic (I've got a bit of a fever today so maybe I'm going mad...) but I'm curious to see what people think are acceptable reasons to be joining up.

Hi, Was watching a film the other night which got me thinking. What's the policy with wearing your dress uniform (tunic, shirt, etc) to events such as weddings, funerals, etc? PS Before anyone asks: I do not want to get married in my uniform, I was just wondering!