General Policing Discussions

I was just wondering how you as a Special Constable address yourself to the public? Say you were on the phone to a parent of a minor for whatever reason... A regular officer would say "This is PC Jones" or whatever. Can a Special address themselves as a PC? There are the SC and SPC abbreviations but would they be recognised by the public in the way same? "Hi this is SC Jones"...who? I guess you could always say "SC Jones from XYZ Police" though. Saying Special Constable seems long in comparison as you wouldn't often here a regular address themselves as "Police Constable", so I was wondering if anyone actually abbreviated it when addressing themselves to the public…

hi all Can someone explain as to why when I reported my car being stolen and a police officer taking a statement from me, there is no log of it? I requested a subject access for all the local information reports as I have experienced with being granted security clearance. However there is no log of this. P. s the theft occured in nov 2002. Thanks

Just wondered if anyone had any expeience of using or had to get one to confirm details? Are they any good? My exprience is that they are a good piece of kit when they work. Has anyone had any issues when requiring prints on the street?

I have recently applied for a police staff role with Surrey Police. Its a job that i'd really enjoy but it's the commute that worries me. I live 50 miles from the job location so it would be a 100 mile daily commute. Does anybody on here travel a similar distance to their place of work? I'd like to get the job but i'm just not sure it's worth all the travelling!

I was unable to post anything before as proceedings were ongoing, but are now finalised. However I was recently assaulted on duty in the City Centre whilst working a night shift. To cut a long story short whilst trying to prevent further assault on a male lying injured on the floor I ended up in the worst position possible...on the floor on my back with the offender mounted on top of me and I remember being unable to get to my CS. I was struck at least once. I was by myself and had not had the foresight to put up for assistance before getting stuck in...luckily an off duty BTP officer came to my aid and dragged the bloke off of me and I was then able to grab hold of him…

Just been watching Episode 6 of Police Interceptors where they sectioned an elderly gent under the MHA for threatening to jump of the roof of his home. I was always under the impression that you needed to be found in a public place to be sectioned under 136. Would the roof of your own property class as a public place?

Hi, Does anyone know how long PSU Level 3 Qualification lasts for? All Cheshire Specials had to do it as part of the Olympic preparations and therefore I am coming on my 1 year mark. I'm just wondering if it's worth getting BTP & Cheshire HR to talk and keep my Qual live. Not if it only lasts a year, but I've not heard of level 3 needing refreshers? Also slightly OT - has anyone used their Police 1st Aid in their day job? I.e. to be an office 1st aider without going on the office course, just using my Police refreshers as the qualification... Ta,

Forgive my ignorance but I really don't know the answer to this! What dictates the type of hat you wear on patrol. Sometimes I see officers in helmets and others are in caps. Is there a ruling on what head gear you have to wear etc. And why are PCSOs never in helmets?

Is there any forces that currently allow specials to be PSU 2 trained? I vaguely remember seeing something about the met allowing it but not anymore? So which / if any forces allow it?

When taking pictures under this power has anyone had to use force to take the pictures? I have been close to it a few times but luckily have been able to get a picture one way or the other without having to use force. Anyone got any experiences?

Hi all, my best friends currently works for Virgin Media and is looking at joining the Specials but due to his working hours he was wondering if there was an Employer Supported Policing agreement with Virgin Media, as the training times and his working hours clash slightly. Dutysheet informs me that VM are signed up, but there's no explanation as to what level. Does anyone here work for Virgin Media or know any more?

My force is currently recruiting Detention Officers, basically my question is: dose being a member of police staff as well as a Special make you a better candidate for regular recruitment or worse one? From what I can see the pros would be more experience in the organisation and the negatives including a lack of dealing with the general public in some roles as well as the fact they'll be loosing essentially two positions if they take you on as a regular.

Inspired by Burnsy2023's excellent posts in the 'Disembowelled Paedophile' thread in the news section, I'd like to have a little rant about 'the justice system'. No doubt it will cause some 'general discussion'... As Burnsy pointed out, there are three main purposes for having a system of justice, but I would add a fourth to the list. They are: 1. Public safety. 2. To rehabilitate. 3. As a deterrent. 4. As punishment I want to argue that retributive justice (i.e. # 4 above) is founded on old-fashioned religious views, and that as such, we should abandon it altogether. I also want to argue that if retribution has any effect on the offender at all, then it surely fall…

I've been at court a lot recently and my sergeant would like me to draft a letter (from him) thanking my boss for being cooperative and assisting me with time off. Has anyone had a letter sent to their boss before for this? Any examples?

Hi guys, As above really. Can an on-duty, but plain clothed officer ask for a specimen of breath if you're thought to be attempting to drive under the influence? Take it for granted he has shown ID. Cheers