General Policing Discussions

Hey all, I have my PC Day 1 assessment coming up in the next few weeks and was just wondering if anyone here has been on a Talking Blues 1 day course If you have heard stories of any of your friends doing this course or any feedback at all will be greatly appreciated, I haven't booked one yet as I'd rather hear about peoples experiences before putting down the money. Thanks

Boscombe currently has a reputation of let us say 'not so nice' persons about the place. It's hardly surprising then when mobile home like vehicles, large vans are parked off side streets with homeless occupants living in them. So what who cares you may say. Is it fair then that the Met Police are quick to tow a vehicle off the road without any insurance, or stop a person suspecting he/she is without mot, yet police around Boscombe permit vehicles without MOT, to remain in streets being a constant nuisance to residence who pay their council tax??? OK, so the vehicles may be taxed, even insured but visibly the vans have half rusted away and clear to figure out they are…

Ok, alot of people dial 999 when really they dont have to and could simply dial the non emergency line. My point why do we have such a long non emergency number, I know in the states they have a 3 digit number same as 999. Could this be a benifit to the call centre and allow alot more people to remember a sort number if a non emergency comes up. Any thoughts?

I saw briefly an episode of 'Night Cops'; I don't normally watch police programmes but it got me thinking. The (then) Chief Constable of North Wales: Richard Brunstrom was featured assisting his officers in a arrest. Many moons ago in the MPS the Commissioner used to get golden discs. But does the Commissioner (or county force equivalent: Chief Constable) have his own signature on his warrant card? It seems pointless to me, as does this question really, but I'm curious.

A visiting American friend of mine recently saw a photo of me in uniform, and commented that he thought that 'Custodian' helmets were a bit like a Guardsman's Bearskin, and only worn on ceremonial occasions. He was most surprised when I told him they were worn routinely on foot patrols. It set me thinking, do we really need to wear these traditional parts of the uniform, or are they as out of date as a whistle? What do we think??

I know a similar question has been asked before on here but reading through the responses I couldnt find a definitive answer, if there is one? As a Special Constable, are you allowed to do one or both of the following: 1/ Put in the employment section of your Facebook profile that you are a Special Constable, and state the force you are with? 2/ Put any photographs of you in uniform up on Facebook, providing your profile is private and only friends can see it? If this is something that varies between forces I am asking specifically for Lancashire, but would be interested to see any responses on this. Thanks in advance.

So a quick one - I assume only people in the Midlands will have seen this news report, and as I can't find a link to a video containing it, I'll have to describe it as best I can.. The report shows Police conducting drug raids, and bursting into peoples doors - As the break into the door and pile in they appear to shout 'POLICE..WITH NOT WARRANT...' Would this be right? Why would they specify that?! Or are they shouting something else?

Hi, at times, wearing a seatbelt makes you feel very uncomfortable. It should be optional as to whether the driver wants to wear it or not and they should NOT get fined for not wearing it! End of the day, I don't think they cause anyone any harm if they choose not to wear it. Mrs Merlin, feel free to comment (harsh or nice)

Hi all, I haven't even started training yet, so this may be a bit pre-emptive, but what happens if you are called to attend court to give evidence, yet you simply can't due to work/other commitments? Are they accommodating and understanding due to the fact that you are a special and understandably your main priorities/commitments may lie elsewhere? Just been a bit confused about this since someone mentioned it to me... Many thanks

Does anyone know where I can look into what the Rules and Regs are for Ice Cream vans? The only info I have so far is this (and it's from a newspaper, so there's a possibility that they have it wrong!!) ice-cream vans cannot sell within 50 metres of a school or place of worship. There must be no chiming before noon, if a van is stationary or within two hours in the same street. Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1037069/Council-killjoys-rule-annoying-ice-cream-van-jingles-seconds.html#ixzz1O8vvSBt6

I've just stumbled across this new book whilst reading my 'Bizarre' magazine. It sounds like quite an interesting read. If you click on either the link above or the one I post below it will take you to a page where you can read an opening introduction to the book. Also search on google and you can read more extracts from the book. Whats your opinions? One point which sticks out in my mind is the point the author makes about not being asked once why he wanted to be a police officer yet bombarded with loads of other questions about race, diversity and other questions which do not seem half as important. I think I may try and purchase this one! Link to the page I found

Hi Any comments from users? pm if necessary to avoid general eyes etc. Looks good and i am hoping to get a username and password shortly to view the demo. Regards

I started my special training in May and we've had a lot of information crammed in. Some things I've felt we could have spent more time on to gain understanding, and other things I felt we spent too long on and that they were basic competencies which really if you don't have - you shouldn't be there! The course has been going really well. I've thoroughly enjoyed it and there hasn't been a moment where I've felt that I'm making the wrong decision. I'm buzzing to complete my attestation and get stuck in! (Just wish it was as a reg - but that's another story!) However it occurred to me the other day when our tutor got us to pull over another tutor in his car and discuss why…

Having finished college in March 2010 and joining the Specials at that time with no intention of going to University, an 18 y/o fresh out of education I have been more or less unemployed for a year (bar the odd job coming out of the ashes like a phoenix) I was just wondering if there were any more SC's going through the same transition and what their feelings were or any people fearful about losing their civilian jobs and what impact it will have on their commitment to their force.. I sometimes think to myself how bizarre I am, scraping by on £30 a week whilst giving 80 hours of my life a month for free ha! Hopefully in 2 - 3 years it will pay off when the ol'recruiting …