General Policing Discussions

I've noticed that new pocketbooks are single sided (instead of double sided) with two staples at the top the book! Apparently it's to stop the pages curling and that "most" other forces already use single sided books. What's your experience of these? Any down sides?

The Police Arbitration Tribunal results that many of us were waiting on to be published are now on the police federation website Just to let everyone know.

Quick question. If you are a constable, who is acting sergeant.... Do you get overtime at constable or sgt rate?

Evening all, I have a question about the Police and their views on sabbaticals/ holidays. I have currently been having a discussion in my head about what to do after college. I'd really like to do some 'culture-ing' in Europe but, I want to be a Special Policemanofficer too. If I was to go to Europe it would probably be for a year, maybe less, starting about the time I would be finishing training (providing I'm accepted into Hampshire Constabulary). This means I couldn't actively be a Special for a long time after training. I was was wondering; what do you think is the best option to hopefully fit both in? Do I; quit my application to the Specials and continue next year,…

Thought I'd post this up, an interesting find from 2009 (outdated I know but still interesting) Apparently ACPO made a proposal to the government at this time for them to consider setting up a 'National Border Police Force' comparing it to the role of the British Transport Police in it being a 'specialised force' in dealing with Border matters. It wasn't passed (obviously) but reading the reasons behind the refusal it just doesn't seem to hold water. They seemed to be mostly political wrangling from the Border Agency who seemed to want to prove their worth (whilst the people ive met in the BA are top people their powers are lacking and they rely an awful lot on police …

Kind of thought of the lyrics to Put a Little Love in Your Heart, Been one of those starts to the week, the Monday from hell, came into day job to one problem after another, day started with a migraine head ache from hell and went down hill, one thing after another, even had a complaint made against me at work, had to interview and deal with a real high pressure situation, yet again accused of being racist. I wish members of the public would think that how it feels when they treat you unfairly, lie and generally make your day a misery, kind of makes you wonder why bother. Almost chucked the job in today, sometimes I think why work when if you stay at home claim all th…

Just a quick question, if you stopped a vehicle with bald tyres or maybe went to a criminal damage job. Could you use a photo taken on your iPhone, for instance, (and then email it to your police email address) as part of you evidence for the job? Surely once it's printed off, it doesn't matter what device it was taken on? I know the regs in my force have PDAs that have cameras built in that are used for evidence, but specials don't have anything like this. Obviously we could always ask a nearby reg to take a photo for us or if its serious enough ask SOCO to attend to get photos but I was just wondering.. Thanks, J

Is it possible to point to point someone who is in another force, if so how is this achieved?

Did anyone else see Wright Stuff on channel 5 this morning? They're talking about the new national 101 non-emergency number. See here, it starts around 11 minutes. http://www.channel5.com/shows/the-wright-stuff/episodes/thursday-12-january Talking points: - 101 costs callers 15p "for the privilege of making the call" (IMO this is significantly cheaper - being a flat rate - than the 0845 numbers cost-per-minute system) - the public does not know it (IMO I didn't know my local area's 0845 number when I once rang to report that I'd seen two 8 year olds wandering the streets with a javelin from my school. I looked it up.) - finding a murder victim would apparently not wa…

Tomorrow is my exposure and all I know to expect is lots of pain... Described by one of my trainers as hurting like a b***h and being like having a thousand needles jabbed in your eyes.. I can't wait. So share your exposure experiences and offer any advice.. and is it really that bad? Thanks.

I have done a search on the forum but couldn't see any threads regarding 'Cassie's Law' which has been on the news today (In the Eastern Regional News, not sure about national) I thought it would be worth a discussion... For those who don't know about this, its a law the mother of a teenage girl who was killed by an elderly driver would like to introduce. The idea is that it would give police powers to seize driving licences at the roadside prohibiting the holder from driving any longer. I have to say i agree with this, as from previous experience some people are not fit to be on the roads. Although I can see there will have to be stringent guidelines to stop the pow…

Hi to who is reading this.… I have been a Special Constable for 2 years in 'Rural-shire'. I have recently been told by many Reg's and Specials alike (of varying ranks) that I should think about taking up the role of S/SGT- (as I have been told) I have the attributes, time and skills to undertake this. I'm interested to hear from Special as well as Reg's supervision on; What their thoughts are on taking up the rank, Why they wanted to take that leap in becoming supervisors and How they went about preparing for their Forces selection process. Thanks for taking the time to read and respond

Does anyone know if your personal Life Insurance Policy covers you if somethin hapens to you while on duty?

My Hi-tech Magnums have finally given up the ghost after 10 years. Like a comfy pair of slippers I will morn their loss I'm totally out of date on the latest fashions. Anyone recommend a good, all leather, ankle supporting boot? Not worried about price.

Hi Everyone, As a Communications Student (aswell as a an applicant who has passed the application and interview for the SPC) at the moment I'm carrying out a study on how one leading fleet street newspaper portrays the police (this will end in June). However I'm wondering what everyone thinks about how the media (predominantly) newspapers portray the police? Is it accurate? Are there any main perpetrators? Does anyone have any great examples of fact distortion? Biased reporting? or genuine postitive reporting? I'm really intrested to know what people think. Furthermore, What effects does this have on modern policing? expanding on the idea that Media puts pressure on th…