General Policing Discussions

Why is there a two strike law? Meaning if I was carrying a knife in a public place on the first offence, the magistrate can set that aside, while the second and third time, the magistrate can send me to mandatory sentence. Why are magistrates allowed to show such leniency on the first offence?

Hi, I've just received confirmation of my appointment and have a start date with Northumbria Police in early November, which obviously I'm buzzing about. The only downside is that starting on £24k I'll have taken a significant pay cut. So I'm wondering what the scope is for new recruits to take on overtime to offset the loss of earnings? Is it even possible, or will I have to get a certain number months under my belt before I can take on the overtime? Whilst I'm at it, am I right in thinking 9.5% is deducted for my pension? Any other deductions I'll need to know about? Just trying to get an idea as to how much I'll need to tighten the belt, thanks!

We all make mistakes, even British police officers. My mistake was not being knowledgeable about weapons during riots. I had said that I believe that carrying weapons in self defence was unacceptable. This was always my understanding. However, based on my understanding of riots being a dangerous circumstance, I thought it would be okay to carry a weapon during a riot. But as someone said “it has to imminent.” An threat of an attack. I read that most people linked arms and marched to push rioters out of an area, not having weapons. Interesting. I explained everything to my aunt and she even told me, you are not to carry weapons, stay as far away as possible from the r…

Hi everybody, Does anyone have an individual/team scene bag, and if so what do you have in it? Regards, M

Does the uk police forces support openly gay people? Or any other type of gays?

I have joined the police about 1 year ago. I love the job and is rewarding when you get results on bad guys. I have an ongoing issue. I am currently on an attachment on team trying to learn more stuff. As I am a probationer, I am keen to do all the work, but perhaps because of my accent, English is not my first language, I’ve been told off many times about talking over other people or taking the lead. I’m reflecting on what I’m doing wrong, as I think is me, I had the same issue with my permanent team. I don’t know when is the best to talk, if I take the lead and my colleagues say something as well, sounds like we don’t know what we’re doing, that’s what I’ve been told, …

Hello All, I am waiting on my intake date from Gloucestershire Constabulary and had been looking at kit on types of websites like police-supplies advertised on here. I have seen that the police will issue you with kit. I understand that it'll be boots, clothing, bags etc but I didn't know what a full kit issue looked like for this constabulary ? Thank you in advance

If there is a Police Constable in a court to maintain order and a witness is found in contempt of court by the judge, does the officer have to arrest and charge the witness or does the judge conduct all the procedures

Has anyone here made the decision to transfer as a UK Police Officer to AUS, New Zealand or Canada? I'm aware of previous recruitment drives although currently I can not find any recent processes (In last few years). All appear to require permanent residency status, although if sponsored like the previous drives, the process is a lot simpler and you have a guaranteed offer of employment. Is there somewhere that you can see all Overseas Transfer opportunities? Instead of going onto each forces website. I'm not absolutely committed at the moment but if an opportunity came up, I'd definitely take it.

I saw a BTP officer the other day observing a group of undesirables in Manchester. I assume they can call their own control room which might be slower than contacting the local force directly. If they radioed though to GMP, would for local force even know who it is or recognise the their callsign?

Evening all, I’m sure I have a link somewhere but cannot find it. Does anyone have a link to court listings and outcomes for Derby Court, back in April?

I was reading a story about a private ambulance getting a speeding ticket. Also mentioned was another case involving a transplant vehicle being fined. Now I looked at the law which states 'ambulance purposes'. Now apparently the legal definition of that is "A vehicle designed to carry sick and injured people to (and from) hospital." I was told that this is the reason donor vehicles are not exempt, not the fact they are 'private'. So does that mean paramedic vehicles are illegal because they aren't designed to carry etc..? Apparently the law hasn't been updated in 50+ years, but the law is the law as they say..