General Policing Discussions

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9DxvtbEjPY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIeq3o2LTLY&feature=channel What are peoples opinions on police forces increasingly using means such as youtube/twitter/facebook ect as a means of communicating with the community? I personally think it's great, it interacts with the younger generation and information can be shared within a few seconds - however is it seen as unprofessional?

As I was sitting listening to our Met borough Olympics briefing the other day it struck me that the requirement for duties was quite high. I believe the figure that was mentioned was every special was being asked to do 4 duties. Given that half my borough does sod-all, that means the remaining half have to do 8 duties to hit the target... That got me annoyed. If Specials aren't going offer their services in the 'hour of need' (more like three months of need), should they be booted out swiftly afterwards ?? I think so.

Just wondered if anyone does these tickets and knows if DVLA actually do anything with the reports they are sent? for example, Black and silver plates after 1/1/73 or shifting letters numbers and groups to spell names..

Many offences overlap. For example, stealing someone's wallet from their house is burglary, but it clearly also fits the definition of plain old "theft". Similarly, punching a police officer who is trying to (legally) arrest you matches the points to prove for each of common assault, assault police, and assault with intent to resist arrest. Depending on the injury, it could also be ABH, or even GBH. We see this all the time when more serious offences are 'bumped down' by the CPS, e.g. ABH to common assault, Some overlapping offences are anachronisms, others incur different penalties, and some have different points to prove. I can see, therefore, that there is a bene…

Hi there fokes, I was wondering if over the past 12 months anyone in their force has seen a dramatic increase in the number of Specials leaving? Personally I have seen quite a few probationers and long term specials leaving as they have disliked the way the Specials were being used or treated by their force more than their collegues due to the so called "policing on the cheap" initatives in this economic environment. As a long serving Special I have had my moments about leaving but for me its about the comradery with the squad I work with that keeps me going in. Just wondered if anyone had seen the same and if they had any thoughts as to why it might be happening wher…

Yes I know I made a thread already about rankings but this is a bit different. What do the different ranks mean and what exactly do the different ranking officer do? What does a typical day/duties involve? This is not necessariy specific to the Special Constabulary but both scs and reg ranks help. The most I know is that constable , sergeant and (to my surprise lol) Inspector goes out on duty. But what makes the higher ranks different from a constable (PC) because the most I know is that one leads the other. That's the most I know about the Police Food Chain lol. Also at what rank do you stop going on duty and are stuck in an office? Needless to say I presume these o…

Are special constables employees of their respective force, or are they not? Does anyone know of any challenges in recent times to such an arrangement or perhaps one where an outcome may have been different if they were (or not)? Should special constables be employees, if considered not to be, and afforded the same rights and protections? Do we do broadly similar work as full-time comparators in the regular service? Discuss!

I attested in January how ever I am still awaiting the arrival of my stab vest before I can finally get out. In preparation I have been studying different laws etc using " Beat Officer's Companion". How ever while watching things on YouTube and even TV programs I have noticed an argument which is becoming more common and I really don't know how I would go about dealing with it. The argument in question is "That's statute, not law" So how do you go about dealing with those who try to use this argument to get out of things?

On BBC1 now. Very interesting programme on HBV within the Asian communities. Worth watching on iPlayer when it comes up.

Sorry if I was out of line but it wasn't very nice to lock my PNC thread, it was an honest question. Another question then - hello. I got sectioned a few times last year. Does that mean I can never do ANY sort of work for the police? Also I just changed my name by deed poll, am I still allowed to use my old one or not?

Can one of you look me up on the PNC please?

I just did a quick search on the forum and note that this is a topic which has been touched on numerous times over the years. But in the current environment, where police numbers are being cut (oh yes they are!) and more pressure is being put on volunteers as a result of Mr Cameron's "big society", Specials are being relied on more and more, whether we like it or not, to provide frontline policing. Putting aside for a moment the challenges that presents in terms of recruiting, training and then retaining enough Specials of a sufficiently high standard to actually reliably provide that service (there's a whole new topic right there), has the time come to rename the Speci…

Hello DS Warner here again :new_hmmm: I am an applicant for the MSC (Met Special Constables). As of yet I do not have much of an intention to go into Policing as a full time career (ie: Reg officer) however if I really like it and somehow I end up deviating from my current plans then yes I may well become a full time officer. My question is: seeing as I have a good couple years ahead of me (up to 5 or more to decide) ..... If I move up the ranks as a special IE: move up to S/Sgt or a S/Inspector or even Divisional Officer , would I retain that rank but the regular version ie a straight Sgt or Inspector or Chief Inspector etc....... If I was to join the regulars or wo…

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