General Policing Discussions

Hi, I used to be a Special in the late 80's to the early 90's when you had blue shirts handcuffs with a chain and a truncheon also no stab vest . Now I have been accepted as a Special starting training in Summer. The process for being attested and training has changed a lot since I joined, back then you were attested in the morning and got your uniform afterward then had one weekend of very basic training and that was it. Thank goodness it has changed and that there are 12 weekends of training before you are attested and walk the streets. I was wondering if anyone has been serving since the late 80's, could tell me how being a Special has changed since then? Cheers …

Given that the role of SC is a voluntary one that people do for many many reasons, do you think there is scope for a voluntary PCSO role? I personally think it would be a good idea. Where I work we have a good number of police volunteers who don't want to be police officers, but enjoy giving up their time to assist the police and work to help the community. Thoughts anyone?

* * *I must emphasise that this is purely a "what if" and I am not involved in an IPCC enquiry in any way* * * Whilst reading through the IPCC's press release section on its website ( http://www.ipcc.gov.uk/news/Pages/default.aspx ) I saw the phrase "we have started conducting door to door enquiries" etc several times. I was wondering, if they knocked at your door, as a police officer, and you gave them some information - and you came by that information not through your duties as a police officer - should you, would you, for the sake of accountability declare that you are also, in fact, a police officer? I'm guessing that answer is a straightforward "yes".

iv been getting looked after by M m P police tv progams threw out all off this have said im a pervert when all my famliy and friends know im not over the past 7 months iv had some big gangsters after me this is down to Germine iv all most been kidnaped twice and killed a few times first time i could off been killed was at leeds bus staion the staff know who these people are germine is a very big gang leader and this is some thing what happend back in 2005 my famliy know im not a pervet so do all my close friends i would like you to get me some kind of help to get a reward for what iv been threw all my famliy and friends think i should get one two best regards jay

was messing around with my speedcuffs earlier, was wondering if you didn't have the velcro leg restraints.... could you use the handcuffs? obviously assuming a second officer has restrained his hands. was just curious as to weather there is a policy against this etc? Edit: some people are getting up in arms here about this as i mention above i was just curious if there was a policy against this i wasn't thinking about the practicalities of trying get two legs of a person that is kicking out in to a pair of cuffs with 10cm spacing. yes leg restraints are the best option etc etc had some helpful replies particularly from oddbod who mentions that metal leg cuffs are outl…

Anybody going to watch this, tommorrow at 2030 on BBC3?

Stumbled across this, I don't know if this has been posted before or if anyone has seen this but its news to me! Charlie Veitch of the Love Police speaks to ITN British news about how to hack the media coverage at the royal wedding without using any violence at all. Looks like his got the attention he craved after all!

I have just been sent a news item where West Midlands Police officers forced to leave are sent letters inviting them to become SC's. what are your thoughts on this? Some officers have found this an insult as they have been forced out the job they have done for many years yet an SC who has made the transition has sent letters to all recent officers who have retired.

Hi All, I am doing a little research on what all forces do with regards to transport expences? We have a growing situation where the newer specials are being asked to pay £300-£900 extra for business use on their cars so they can claim back expences? This is of growing concern and I was wondering if this is just a local issue - or other forces have found a way round the issue. Do some pay a flat "bus fair" and turn a blind eye to the method of transport? Would this not make their insurance invalid? Please help by posting what your force does / does not do. Thanks Mikee

I am one of a number of PC`s no doubt suffering with ongoing back pain as a result of the stab vest. I pay for back massages to relieve the pain on a regular basis. I have not been to Occ health due to negative things I have heard and them not being very supportive. I know there is the possibility of them offering some help but don't want them trying to restrict me when I don't need to be to cover themselves! My stab vest does not stop me working, just aches a lot when I wear it (and even when I don't) and I`m worried in 10 years time I could suffer with real back problems... My question is - if you are an Officer that suffers with the same problem - have you ever se…

Hi, I was recently arrested for shoplifting by the British Transport Police and i was strip searched when taken into custody. I was not happy about this as i had co-operated fully. I was very angry about being strip searched as i felt the officers had no right to do this to me. I was wondering if all shoplifters that are arrested are strip searched and if so WHY? I also argued that two male officers should have carried out the search but it was done by the male officer that arrested me and the other female officer stood by the cell door (with it closed over a bit). Is this right - should i not have been strip searched by two male officers?? I did not co-operate with t…

Should the law be changed, to allow officers to carry some kind of PPE off duty? just like some forces in the usa

I'm curious, do the police get the criminals/accused persons permission to have themselves shown on tv? Surely they can't show them being arrested for the crimes without their permission?

I' am looking it trying to get some experience in carryingout roadside interviews, ready to complete a basic traffic offence file for summons to court. Anyone have any tips and know exactly what questions to ask the offending party. Many Thanks

Hey there, I'm a new member here at policespecials.com so I thought I would introduce myself. I am a boy of 16 years, looking to join Thames Valley Police as soon as I can after I've finished studying my A levels at 18. I am a huge police enthusiast and hope to gain some more knowledge especially about police specials here on this forum. I am currently in the process of applying to become part of the PVST. Anyway, enough of my life story, I look forward to meeting this friendly community. Cheers, Dan.