General Policing Discussions

I had a thought today. 1) Can you give tickets when off duty? If say, you saw someone on their phone when driving, or littering. I thought of this as a guy I know always carries his warrent card, not tickets though. Just say you did have your ticket book in your car for the scenario. 2) Can you ticket people out of your forces area? I suppose this will have to also be off duty, as you shouldn't have been there if you were on duty I guess. So if I was off duty could I ticket someone, if the occasion arose. And if so, would I have to be in my force area. Is a ticket from anofficer out of his force area still valid?

I appreciate it is a Police Officers greatest tool - but to what extent do you take notes in your PNB? We were taught about this the other day and I really struggled to see how it would be possible to get any other work done for the amount of information the sgt suggested we wrote down! Now I know this will be different for everyone as it is about memory retention and things that would help you remember - but what do you tend to write down in there? He wanted us to write down things like the distance you travelled from point A to point B - and the example he used I didn't really see how that information would have ever been any relevance! I'm sure I'll learn far more abo…

Here is a topic that people find interesting in the canteens of the Merseyside Police. In 2006 a Christian Support Group was started in the Force called riverforce. No problem with that, we also have a Gay Support Group (Though that has come into question recently) and a Black Officers Support Group. But it caused a bit of a flap, the countries first Force Pastor was appointed and had to be changed to a Foot Pastor because without their being any other appointed religous leader it was claimed the Force was saying it was identifiably Christian. I or any one who had two brain cells would have thought, let's go slowly here seeing as a Force Pastor caused such controversy…

I was wondering if anyone could help me, before I get on the phone to HMRC ( I'd rather not!) Are my expenses payments taxable income, I'm guessing they must be, but want to check! And can i claim tax relief for the laundering of uniform, and if so what is the sum?

With the present situation of Police Forces having to cut back on Police numbers does any one feel any negativity because they are a Special. I am not a Special but in my Force the Merseyside Police Specials provide a vital service to the Force. It was not until I went to work for the Force I learnt just what hard work Specials do. You are Police Officers in all but title. But what concerns me is with the cutbacks is any one experiencing a change in attitude. The Merseyside Police are going hammer and tongs to recruit more Specials and I have heard a couple of officers saying, and it is only a couple out of a Force of over 6000 that the Force is getting rid of full t…

Ive just seen an article in the local rag about this company called Atraks. What are members thoughts on this?? Below is what the local rag have to say : PRIVATE security officers equipped with handcuffs and stab vests are coming to the streets of Southampton to protect residents from crime, the Daily Echo can reveal. Residents are being urged to pay £3.15 per week or a one-off payment of £163.80 for protection from “dangerous, unpredictable criminalsâ€. But an MP and a senior councillor have accused the firm behind the scheme of “scaremongering†and warned residents not to part with their money. It comes as the city council is expanding its own team of pat…

Ok hopefully a slight twist on the usual what are my powers while off duty question. While sat at some traffic lights the other day a car barrels through while they where quite clearly on red nearly losing it on the corner and then shot off obviously over the speed limit and to top it off he was on his mobile. I thought about it for a moment but didn't call it in and then which is where my question comes in I wondered if I could do anything about it when next on duty. So can we reports crimes we see while off duty?

Well I was just on another forum and reading the ramblings of a man who seems to think he knows everything, he rambled on about hoping the Conservatives rip up legislation amd crimes without victims, is there actually such a thing as a victimless crime?! I didn't think there was, as any crime will affect someone in some shape or another. Just wanted your opinions on this.

Has anyone worked with this group? Specials seem ideally placed to help set these up. Our inspector is keen to promote this so any information would be useful. streetwatch

Arrest, ticket or strong words of advice, would you use discretion or arrest or fine?

I have heard the term Private Police Forces in reference to certain forces, specifically the BTP, the london port police, and some park police forces. Yet these cops seem to have full police powers, training and equipment. The BTP I'm sure, have powers everywhere in the UK don't they, not just in the railways. So why the Private Police tag if their prime function is policing public areas?

I have just read a fantastic new book about what it's really like to be a serving frontline police officer and felt duty bound to recommend it to any SCs/ serving officers or potential new recruits to the police. It's just so hysterically funny and is full of anecdotes that made me laugh out loud! It's written by a serving police officer and describes the humorous side of policing ie. mishaps at sudden deaths, inappropriate celebrations at hangings, dirty cell protests, etc. Seriously, I can't recommend this highly enough!! It's a hoot! It's called [Removed] He's donating a percentage of his sales to the police convalescence homes which is another incentive to buy it. …

So, the title pretty much does this topic all the justice it needs, this can be for current, training or even applying specials; i'll start it off: Your partner bans the word "special" in any context.

Does anybody know if on NCALT there is a learning section on cautions??? Muchas Gracias

It's coming up to a year since ive been a special, and thankfully ive only had to rack my asp and that's as far as it goes ... What situations have you guys been in where you actually needed to use substantial force in the execution of your duty? Ive heard regulars, even skippers not using any force in their entire career and others who have been in the job five minutes and end up being involved in small riots ... Discuss ...