General Policing Discussions

I apoligise if this has been brought up before. Just curious, how many of you fine folks are serving Specials as a way to becoming a Regular? And, (there must be a 'few') how many of you didn't quite make it in the regs application process so are doing the Special route to gain experience etc with the view of applying/reapplying to the regs...? I'm 'one' of them and don't mind admitting it. Like I say, I'm just curious. But there must be plenty of you, har-de-har-har... Cheers.

I just wondered if anyone has ever utilised a job-run counselling-type service before and can offer an opinion? If you wish to do it in private a PM is of course welcome. If not an experience of your own, do you know of anyone else who has? Would taking up an offer of counselling be held on record or be used against you when applying for specialist roles?

Just a thought, in terms of evidence, if your off duty and a fight kicks off for example, you run in to arrest ... how necessary is it to show your warrant card? I mean if it's all kicking off and your in a roll around its hardly practical .. is practicality a valid reason in relation to this? Im not suggesting I would act in this way (id ring it in) .. but what if?? If you act/use force and someone tries to claim they didnt know you were old bill are you up the creek? EDIT: Im only thinking of this in terms of how the courts would approach this NOT the safety implication side on the street.

Usually on YouTube there are allot of videos where the poster tries to make the police look bad, but in fact they were provoked. But seeing this video, the officers looked really arrogant with a big grin on their faces. Also they seem to pick on this man even though they had no reason to suspect it. What do you guys think about this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vtkd0RT9Y3M

Today when the Duke of Cambridge and Duchess of Cambridge arrived back at Clarence House two police officers saluted as they drove past them. Under what circumstances and to who should the police salute?

All, whilst reading through this forum yesterday evening I noticed a lot of the posts were negative in content. Either as a result of what the press or politicians have said about us or are doing to us or our regular colleagues. I'm still new to this, I am on a learning curve like you wouldn't believe and I am still in a really positive place about the role we play. Shoot me down in flames (I'm sure someone will) but here are my set of reasons for doing what we do. Whilst I don't intend to turn this post into some form of self help group, I'd be interested in hearing others reasons. I am another pair of hands, eyes and ears for my regular colleagues. When I spea…

Here's a new one for you. Last Friday at about 2:30am, being the good friend I am, went to my local club to pick my drunk friends up and act as their taxi. Now, every time I go pick them up I always like to have a chat with the Constables standing around and see how everything's getting on and just have a general conversation with them, as let's face it, it's a breath of fresh air talking to someone sober! Well, this Thursday I stood next to one Constable whilst I waited for kicking out time and I started the conversation with him about how many officers there were present outside the club. This then led onto chitchat and later me declaring that I'm going through the p…

Hilarious video, I dont think its been posted up before, a freeman gets locked up for numerous traffic offences (no insurance, no MOT, no licence, not wearing a helmet ect) Well it didnt end so well for the freeman who attempted numerous times to dictate to the officers what he was doing and that he was simply going to 'leave.' The officers response/reaction to the threat of being sued personally was very well done - the bloke doesnt recognise the English Courts so how can he sue the officer or enforce any such allegation against him? All in all the cops acted very well, heres the videos: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Thought i'd share it with you.

I just wondered about the effectiveness of officers on patrol using pedal cycles. Do you think they are more or less effective than officers on foot patrol? These days I see them whizzing past and wonder if they are noticed at all by Joe Public, as most sensible cyclists also seem to be wearing Hi-Vis. Officers on foot patrol seem to be extremely scarce these days!

Does anyone know if there is an eyesight test for FSU or MAST training? Its somthing I was interested in doing if I do finally get in, but I'm worried my eyesight will stop me. Cheers

I have been asked to look at the Dyfed-Powys Police external force website to provide a critical appraisal of the Special Constabulary element... and I would like your help. Basically I would like you to look at this link... http://www.dyfed-powys.police.uk/en/join-the-police/special-constables ...and tell me what you think; as a serving officer, potential recruit etc. So that I can get other people's opinions on the content, appearance, and how attractive it is and what you think of the role of a special after reading it. Hopefully the more replies I get the more chance of me putting together a nice appraisal so that it can be improved/changed. If you are a serving o…

Hi All, Newbie here. I am trying to get my head around the Firearms Act. I am currently at Uni and have 1 year left of my law course and there are certain things I can't quite get, so I thought I would ask you guys as you probably know the answers. I understand the law behind imitation firearms, posession in a public place and posession with intent. What I don't understand is where deactivated firearms come into the law as from what I can gather it is not classed either as an "imitation firearms" or a "realistic imitation firearm". So, my question is this. Is a deactivated gun as the CPS states "De-activated firearms are expressly excluded from the definition of realist…

Reading a few threads on here which show when officers get it wrong. Not to criticise people, but I wondered what are the biggest mistakes, with regards to powers/procedure, that you hear/see your colleagues do which annoy you. I shall commence: 1. Designated alcohol control zones - I often used to hear officers tell people 'drinking alcohol is banned in this area'. This used to frustrate me as the legislation only gave a DISCRETIONARY power to seize alcohol from people drinking in such zones to combat anti-social behaviour. I would quite often allow people to finish their drinks in such areas where they weren't causing a nuisance. However many officers seem to have a …

I have just spoke to the recruitment unit at GMP after my vetting was failed after applying to be a special. The letter stated 'I am unable to discuss the circumstances as it relates to a third party who you have mentioned on your form' So the penny drops and i realise who it is. Now i know there has been lots of post on here about this before but i don't see or speak to this person anymore but i still have to mention them on the forms. Anyway GMP is advertising for police staff in the control room and i was told the vetting would be exactly the same and that because of someone who i have to mention on a form. I cannot have any police related career... I personnally t…

On anohter forum that I freqent someone has posted the below video and stated that in their opinion the behaviour of the Police was "Shocking". I have my own opinions on the footage, but would be interested in others' opinions of the rights or wrongs of the actions which took place.