General Policing Discussions

Any tips for an insomniac? My general pattern is six on four off, consisting of two earlies, two lates and two nights followed by four days off. Every few sets we do six on three off, followed by seven on four off. I have noticed now that even if I try to get up reasonably early after my last night shift (say sleeping 8.30am til about 1pm), for each of my rest days I struggle to get to sleep before 2am. This is usually right up to my last night off where I have to be up again for a 7am start. I am not feeling refreshed at all because despite being so tired my body just can't switch off normally after effectively working four shifts in a row where I am not in bed be…

Hi there, I was just wondering how your first day on shift went, what happened when you arrived? Did you wear your uniform to the station? What did you do on your first shift? Thanks, Nick

My District Commander has gone out of his way to welcome the Special Constables within his District. He writes to them to thank them for their efforts, has purchased additional equipment we have asked for and he also attends all our monthly team meetings. He considers me part of his management team and considers the role of the team to be a major resource in managing crime within the District. I was wondering what sort of a relationship others had with their District Management Teams?

You'll all have to bear with me on this one as i don't want this to come over wrong. So 'Help for Heroes' is a fantastic cause, i think a lot of people misunderstand the requirement of what our armed forces are doing overseas and the challenges they face daily against a very twisted enemy. However, i feel the UK police service is lacking the same type of recognition. I recently donated money to David Rathband's Blue Lamp Foundation as this is the reality of what horrors we face as a police family in what is effectively our own back yard. I don't tend to understand why the police service appears to be lacking the publicity of all those officers who are wounded on duty in…

Apprently this is a security guard. Wearing a uniform and driving a car that looks like police is ilegal in NZ. But while I know why they do it, Im surprised a security guard would want to put up with the abuse he will get looking like a cop, when he can't do anything about it. If I was a security guard I would want to look as different to a police officer as possible, plus I know this sort of thing annoys police too.

I recently had to make a couple of calls to my local force HQ number which starts 0845 from my mobile, I use a contract mobile and was surprised when the bill recently dropped through the door, it would appear that calls from O2 phones to 0845 cost 20p/min and 25p/min from pay as you go, the call I made lasted around 25 minutes and cost in excess of £5.00, where as if I had the option to call on a normal number starting 01 as an example the cost would have be a lot less or even within my monthly number of free minutes. Most forces now do not have an alternative to 0845 numbers to call switch board. It seems wrong that to access the police service in a non emergency …

Hello all, I used to be a MET special, now i am working for TVP and getting paid for it... brilliant! I have got a few bits and bobs i would like to list on your marketplace. Mainly belt kit which i bought when i was in the MET and now it has been issued to me by TVP i dont need it any more. Can anyone help me, as for some reason it wont let me post! Many thanks

would anybody ever use there warrant card for free bus or train travel whilst off duty

Do specials get discounts with there warrant cards in shops etc ?

Link: "British police may purchase water-cannon to disperse protesters, the Home Secretary has suggested." So what are people's thoughts on the tactical options available in a public order setting? Are batons and shields sufficient, or do we want to look at options which would keep protestors further away from officers. Water cannon, AEP, RIP, dye marker rounds to indelibly identify troublemakers, large tear gas sprays? Is the policy of using EG teams to capture images appropriate or should be be using snatch squads to remove as many troublemakers as possible at the time? Heavier fencing which cannot be ripped up and used as a weapon? The purpose of this topic is not to…

Here is a series of unbelievable recordings between 999 emergency operators and gormless MoPs who think that the emergency line is also a public information service. My apologise if this has been posted before.

Just to let anyone whose waiting know (and as the self explanatory title reveals) the part two results are out. (At least in our force...) Similar to the part ones the training department have them and will confirm pass/fail! Good luck to everyone waiting!.

A police officer and a community support officer have been rushed to hospital after being stabbed in Ealing, west London. The attack occurred in Ealing Broadway, on Uxbridge Road. Sky home affairs correspondent Mark White, reporting from the scene, said that the police officer was slashed across the throat after a routine bus ticket examination. It is understood the suspected attacker was wanted for recall to prison. A source said that when it became clear he was about to be arrested, the man pulled out a knife and attacked the officers. He said: "He has gone for the officers. The PCSO has been stabbed and the PC was stabbed in the head and suffered the worst of th…

I've watched thousands and thousands of Police TV shows and in almost every episode I'm astounded by the lack of control officers seem to have on their prisoners while on duty in England and Wales. In my force when we have a prisoner standing in the station (at the charge bar or being led to a cell) they're held by both arms, if we didn't hold to them we'd be pulled up by a supervisor or another cop. Why is there no such policy down south and do you not see the officer safety risks involved? The other thing I've noticed is females with pony tails? Surely there is a huge risk involved in this also?

I recently had the opportunity to meet with Nick Herbert MP and spent some time with him answering his questions and discussing ideas for the future of specials. I found him to be very interested and passionate about the topic and regardless of politics, it was a productive and positive meeting. Needless to say I've come away with some actions from him and would like to hear from any special who would be interested in getting involved with sharing their thoughts and opinions about national issues. This is a great opportunity to have a direct channel to the policing minister, so if you are passionate about what happens please do get in touch. I don't have a particular…