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Top content from across the community, hand-picked by us.
Trying to de-escalate a situation - a lost art
Jack McCoy posted a topic in General Policing Discussions,
I don't want to sound like an old relic, but I can't believe how poorly so many cops handle arrests these days.
In my time with a force that uses BWV, I have seen some of the most shocking displays from officers when carrying out arrests. No patience, no tolerance threshold, no attempts to appeal or calm someone down or attempt to get them to co-operate. Instead I see cops barging in like bulls in china shop and actually be the aggressors, often deploying PAVA and strikes on someone for simply offering passive resistance.
Surely I can't be the only one that feels a great degree of pride for managing to bring in a suspect with VAP markers single-crewed, with all smiles and chatting away as if we are the best of pals. I have actually had people, twice my size, be aggressive towards me and make me reach for my baton or PAVA, but I have still managed to calm them down and in the end, even apologise to me for their behaviour.
Now all I see is bullies in a uniform that will use the excuse of power to use force to put someone in a headlock and throw them to the ground, whilst handcuffed, simply for refusing to walk... I'm sorry, but I find that utterly disgusting. These people have no business being cops and all they do is make the public hate and distrust us even more, leading to decent cops being at a greater risk of being assaulted.
I have raised my concerns with my supervision each time I have had to prepare a case file and witnessed these on BWV and every time I get the same response along the lines of "it does seem excessive, but if the suspect complains, it's for the arresting cop to justify at court, we won't challenge their perception of the situation or discipline them"...
In my time with a force that uses BWV, I have seen some of the most shocking displays from officers when carrying out arrests. No patience, no tolerance threshold, no attempts to appeal or calm someone down or attempt to get them to co-operate. Instead I see cops barging in like bulls in china shop and actually be the aggressors, often deploying PAVA and strikes on someone for simply offering passive resistance.
Surely I can't be the only one that feels a great degree of pride for managing to bring in a suspect with VAP markers single-crewed, with all smiles and chatting away as if we are the best of pals. I have actually had people, twice my size, be aggressive towards me and make me reach for my baton or PAVA, but I have still managed to calm them down and in the end, even apologise to me for their behaviour.
Now all I see is bullies in a uniform that will use the excuse of power to use force to put someone in a headlock and throw them to the ground, whilst handcuffed, simply for refusing to walk... I'm sorry, but I find that utterly disgusting. These people have no business being cops and all they do is make the public hate and distrust us even more, leading to decent cops being at a greater risk of being assaulted.
I have raised my concerns with my supervision each time I have had to prepare a case file and witnessed these on BWV and every time I get the same response along the lines of "it does seem excessive, but if the suspect complains, it's for the arresting cop to justify at court, we won't challenge their perception of the situation or discipline them"...
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Crime Recording standards in your Force
Jack McCoy posted a topic in General Policing Discussions,
Hey guys, just wondering about the above question.
When I started my career in 2014 with Police Scotland and up until 2018 when I transferred to an English force (that shall remain un-named), it was up to us, the cops, Just this week...
When I started my career in 2014 with Police Scotland and up until 2018 when I transferred to an English force (that shall remain un-named), it was up to us, the cops, Just this week...
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Met female superintendent charged over possession of child abuse image
Cathedral Bobby + posted a topic in Police Oracle Features,
A senior Metropolitan Police officer charged over possession of child abuse image.
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/feb/20/female-scotland-yard-officer-charged-over-child-abuse-image
There seems to be a lot of these stories coming out at the moment.
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/feb/20/female-scotland-yard-officer-charged-over-child-abuse-image
There seems to be a lot of these stories coming out at the moment.
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Special Constables' Legal Advice Service
Techie1 + posted a link in Support & Help,
Legal advice and legal expenses cover
In order to ensure that special constables have legal protection, the Home Office provides legal assistance cover currently through Arc Legal Assistance. This is available to all special constables, free of charge, and includes personal injury cover including financial compensation for damages. It also includes cover for legal advice as well as representation at criminal proceedings.
The Special Constable Legal Fees Insurance Scheme is now administered by the Home Office. For more information and summary of cover, please email: specialconstabularyenquiries@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk.
http://www.college.police.uk/What-we-do/Support/Citizens/Special-Constabulary/Pages/Information-resources.aspx
http://www.college.police.uk/What-we-do/Support/Citizens/Special-Constabulary/Documents/ARC_Legal_Assistance_-_Policy_Summary.pdf
In order to ensure that special constables have legal protection, the Home Office provides legal assistance cover currently through Arc Legal Assistance. This is available to all special constables, free of charge, and includes personal injury cover including financial compensation for damages. It also includes cover for legal advice as well as representation at criminal proceedings.
The Special Constable Legal Fees Insurance Scheme is now administered by the Home Office. For more information and summary of cover, please email: specialconstabularyenquiries@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk.
http://www.college.police.uk/What-we-do/Support/Citizens/Special-Constabulary/Pages/Information-resources.aspx
http://www.college.police.uk/What-we-do/Support/Citizens/Special-Constabulary/Documents/ARC_Legal_Assistance_-_Policy_Summary.pdf
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Are we decriminalising rape?
Fedster posted a topic in Police Oracle Features,
Work With Offenders looks behind the decline in prosecutions with only three out of every 200 accused ending up in court.
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Force becomes first in UK to train officers to treat drug overdoses on the streets
Fedster posted a topic in Police Oracle Features,
West Midlands to teach frontline response to life-threatening incidents.
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Force heads for a break with tradition on replacing iconic helmet
Fedster posted a topic in Police Oracle Features,
Survey comes out in favour of cap that fits the 'safer, practical and comfortable' approach for wearers.
Passing out parade: Officers will still wear helmets for ceremonial duties
Passing out parade: Officers will still wear helmets for ceremonial duties
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Any dog handlers around?
SnowBall + posted a topic in General Policing Discussions,
Tried to search the forum high and low and we appear to have officers in all areas but I can't find anything that suggests we have any dog handlers?
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'Police infringing privacy of victims while contributing to dangerous myths and stereotypes about rape'
Fedster posted a topic in Police Oracle Features,
Campaign groups call for reform of 'digital strip searches' amid claims policy is unlawful.
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Do you do the investigative leg work?
HighspeedLowdrag * posted a topic in General Policing Discussions,
Colleagues,
I have about 12 months service as a Constable with the Police Service of Northern Ireland. In the PSNI, when you pass out from the training college, everyone is sent to response. No one likes being in response for reasons why I will go on to outline in a moment. The coveted roles, available only to Con's outside of probation are the Neighbourhood teams, road policing teams, various crime/pro active teams, investigative departments, Firearms etc.
One of the most stressful things about working response is the investigation of the crimes you pick up, all the way to court. I don't know what your experience in response has been like, but I go from emergency call to emergency call. In between times, I am supposed to conduct my enquires, process them at custody interview suspects, prepare the file for the public prosecution service and go to court. This is what I signed up too. It's been very stressful however I thought that was the only way to do things.
I've had the benefit of working alongside Con's who where formerly attached to Merseyside and the Met. They've advised me that in their previous forces, they arrested suspects, wrote up a statement and notebook entry then passed the investigation on to dedicated case progression/investigative teams to follow up. I couldn't believe this. It makes so much sense. Rather than a half baked investigation from a Constable who his running pillar to post they have a team of people 9-5 dedicated to investigative follow ups.
In short, I'm wondering is this standard throughout GB police forces? Do you carry out your own investigations from start to finish or what mechanisms do you have in your force to complete investigations?
I have about 12 months service as a Constable with the Police Service of Northern Ireland. In the PSNI, when you pass out from the training college, everyone is sent to response. No one likes being in response for reasons why I will go on to outline in a moment. The coveted roles, available only to Con's outside of probation are the Neighbourhood teams, road policing teams, various crime/pro active teams, investigative departments, Firearms etc.
One of the most stressful things about working response is the investigation of the crimes you pick up, all the way to court. I don't know what your experience in response has been like, but I go from emergency call to emergency call. In between times, I am supposed to conduct my enquires, process them at custody interview suspects, prepare the file for the public prosecution service and go to court. This is what I signed up too. It's been very stressful however I thought that was the only way to do things.
I've had the benefit of working alongside Con's who where formerly attached to Merseyside and the Met. They've advised me that in their previous forces, they arrested suspects, wrote up a statement and notebook entry then passed the investigation on to dedicated case progression/investigative teams to follow up. I couldn't believe this. It makes so much sense. Rather than a half baked investigation from a Constable who his running pillar to post they have a team of people 9-5 dedicated to investigative follow ups.
In short, I'm wondering is this standard throughout GB police forces? Do you carry out your own investigations from start to finish or what mechanisms do you have in your force to complete investigations?
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Met Police officer, 44, admits buying PORNOGRAPHY while waiting for undertakers at family home of a dead child - and charging it to the grieving relati
Fedster posted a topic in UK Policing News,
A Met Police officer has admitted buying buying pornography at the family home of a dead child while he waited for the undertaker to turn up - and charging it to the grieving relatives.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7262107/Police-officer-admits-buying-PORNOGRAPHY-waiting-undertakers-home-dead-child.html
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7262107/Police-officer-admits-buying-PORNOGRAPHY-waiting-undertakers-home-dead-child.html
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Theresa May to 'go for broke' on pay award in parting gift to police
Fedster posted a topic in Police Oracle Features,
PM to use final leadership days to give public sector £2bn pay rise.
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Jail for PC who shared online images of colleagues and cadets
Fedster posted a topic in Police Oracle Features,
Following arrest, officer said: I am not like one those people who touch children. They make me sick.
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Roads policing to be reviewed amid fears over lack of officers on highways
Fedster posted a topic in Police Oracle Features,
Campaigners demand 'more cops in cars' as numbers drop by more than a quarter.
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Jail term for 'soft-justice-for-contact' officer
Fedster posted a topic in Police Oracle Features,
PC sentenced to 28 months for misconduct in public office offences.
Sentenced: Merseyside PC Ben Murphy
Date - 16th July 2019
By - Nick Hudson - Police Oracle
4 Comments
An officer who handed out his own softer version of justice to speeding female offenders found the courts showed no leniency in his sentencing yesterday.
PC Ben Murphy was jailed for 28 months after admitting 10 offences of misconduct in public office and one of sending an inappropriate message.
The charges related to allegations the roads policing officer stopped cars exceeding the speed limit and then issued tickets for lesser offences, getting in touch with female suspects afterwards.
The constable, who resigned from the Merseyside force in May, was officially dismissed at a fast-track hearing held in Liverpool at the beginning of this month for breaches of the standards of professional behaviour connected to his criminal conviction.
Merseyside Chief Superintendent Peter Costello said: "It is vital that we as a police force maintain the public’s trust and confidence and ensure that officers and staff throughout the force realise the importance of maintaining standards and working with honesty and integrity.
"We cannot afford to have officers and staff working for us who do not uphold the highest levels of professionalism, honesty and integrity and will always be robust in dealing with officers, or staff, whose conduct is unacceptable.
"The majority of people who work for Merseyside Police do a really good job day in, day out, and joined the force to serve our communities with compassion and integrity.
“Sadly the actions of Ben Murphy have the propensity to seriously undermine the good work of the majority.
"The public quite rightly have high expectations of police officers and we are committed to meeting those expectations by demanding high standards of professionalism, honesty and integrity.
View On Police Oracle
Sentenced: Merseyside PC Ben Murphy
Date - 16th July 2019
By - Nick Hudson - Police Oracle
4 Comments
An officer who handed out his own softer version of justice to speeding female offenders found the courts showed no leniency in his sentencing yesterday.
PC Ben Murphy was jailed for 28 months after admitting 10 offences of misconduct in public office and one of sending an inappropriate message.
The charges related to allegations the roads policing officer stopped cars exceeding the speed limit and then issued tickets for lesser offences, getting in touch with female suspects afterwards.
The constable, who resigned from the Merseyside force in May, was officially dismissed at a fast-track hearing held in Liverpool at the beginning of this month for breaches of the standards of professional behaviour connected to his criminal conviction.
Merseyside Chief Superintendent Peter Costello said: "It is vital that we as a police force maintain the public’s trust and confidence and ensure that officers and staff throughout the force realise the importance of maintaining standards and working with honesty and integrity.
"We cannot afford to have officers and staff working for us who do not uphold the highest levels of professionalism, honesty and integrity and will always be robust in dealing with officers, or staff, whose conduct is unacceptable.
"The majority of people who work for Merseyside Police do a really good job day in, day out, and joined the force to serve our communities with compassion and integrity.
“Sadly the actions of Ben Murphy have the propensity to seriously undermine the good work of the majority.
"The public quite rightly have high expectations of police officers and we are committed to meeting those expectations by demanding high standards of professionalism, honesty and integrity.
View On Police Oracle
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Home Secretary to announce new public health duty to tackle serious violence
Techie1 + posted a topic in Police Oracle Features,
Forces to 'work together' with bodies mirroring police trailblazers in Scotland and London.
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Pension Statement Issued by Government
Chief Bakes posted a topic in General Policing Discussions,
The government have issued a statement on the judgment of the public service pension issue;
The government is committed to providing public service pensions that are fair for public sector workers and for taxpayers. This is why we brought forward reforms in 2015, based on the recommendations of the Hutton report, to ensure that these pensions are sustainable in the future.
The courts have considered cases regarding the implementation of the 2015 reforms. On 27 June 2019 the Supreme Court denied the government permission to appeal the Court of Appeal’s judgment that transitional provisions introduced to the reformed judges and firefighters pension schemes in 2015 gave rise to unlawful age discrimination. The government respects the Court’s decision and will engage fully with the Employment Tribunal to agree how the discrimination will be remedied.
The ruling relates to the ‘transitional protection’ offered to some members when the reformed schemes were introduced. In order to ensure people close to retirement age were treated fairly, the government agreed to ‘transitional protection’, which broadly permitted those members who were closest to retirement at the time new pension schemes were introduced to remain members of their respective old schemes. The court has found that those too far away from retirement age to qualify for ‘transitional protection’ have been unfairly discriminated against. As ‘transitional protection’ was offered to members of all the main ...
https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-statement/Commons/2019-07-15/HCWS1725/
The government is committed to providing public service pensions that are fair for public sector workers and for taxpayers. This is why we brought forward reforms in 2015, based on the recommendations of the Hutton report, to ensure that these pensions are sustainable in the future.
The courts have considered cases regarding the implementation of the 2015 reforms. On 27 June 2019 the Supreme Court denied the government permission to appeal the Court of Appeal’s judgment that transitional provisions introduced to the reformed judges and firefighters pension schemes in 2015 gave rise to unlawful age discrimination. The government respects the Court’s decision and will engage fully with the Employment Tribunal to agree how the discrimination will be remedied.
The ruling relates to the ‘transitional protection’ offered to some members when the reformed schemes were introduced. In order to ensure people close to retirement age were treated fairly, the government agreed to ‘transitional protection’, which broadly permitted those members who were closest to retirement at the time new pension schemes were introduced to remain members of their respective old schemes. The court has found that those too far away from retirement age to qualify for ‘transitional protection’ have been unfairly discriminated against. As ‘transitional protection’ was offered to members of all the main ...
https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-statement/Commons/2019-07-15/HCWS1725/
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Officer fabricates story about baseball-wielding attackers in a churchyard
Fedster posted a topic in Police Oracle Features,
PC faces career end after being found guilty of perverting the course of justice.
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Police Scotland Recruitment 2019
job_done + posted a topic in Police Scotland,
New thread to accommodate all Police Scotland related recruitment issues for 2019.
Post here if you're
- considering applying
- in the process
- delayed or reapplying
- waiting for vetting
- going through Tulliallan
- back at division
Good luck to all!!!
Post here if you're
- considering applying
- in the process
- delayed or reapplying
- waiting for vetting
- going through Tulliallan
- back at division
Good luck to all!!!
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File builders
rachblanchard * posted a topic in General Policing Discussions,
I am aware some forces have dedicated file builders that do all the form filling, disclosure, etc. I'm trying to make contact with any forces that currently have dedicated file builders. We have a Criminal Justice team that send all the papers to CPS/Courts but it is down to the OIC to complete the full file. I've made a suggestion we look at having a dedicate team to build file and now need to speak to forces that have them! Please contact me if you think you can help. Thanks
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Meet Britain's longest serving police officer who has made five arrests in 50 years
Fedster posted a topic in UK Policing News,
This is Britain’s longest serving police officer, who at 74 has been pounding the beat for 50 years.
https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/meet-britains-longest-serving-police-17996563.amp
https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/meet-britains-longest-serving-police-17996563.amp
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Queen's honour for officer determined not to let motor neurone diagnosis 'define his career'
Techie1 + posted a topic in Police Oracle Features,
ACC to receive Queen's Police Medal later this week for 'remarkable contribution' to service.
ACC Chris Johnson: Receiving the QPM on Saturday
An assistant chief living with a terminal illness has achieved royal recognition for his “remarkable contribution” to policing.
ACC Chris Johnson, who has vowed to serve the public for as long as possible despite his Motor Neurone Disease diagnosis, is set to receive a Queen’s Police Medal for distinguished service at a special ceremony in Birmingham on Saturday.
A letter from the Home Office announcing the honour relays Home Secretary Sajid Javid’s “appreciation” for the West Midland officer’s 29 years’ service.
It was April last year that the 52-year-old achieved a career ambition in a promotion to assistant chief constable with his hometown force after working his way up from beat bobbie on the streets of Birmingham.
But just months later, having returned from a holiday to Florida to celebrate his promotion, his world came crashing down when he was told he had MND − a terminal condition affecting the brain, spinal cord and nerves that ultimately stops muscles functioning.
He said: “Being appointed assistant chief constable was a hugely proud moment for me – I wasn’t sure it would get much better but receiving this award, especially as it’s nominated by police colleagues, is certainly on a par with that.
“When I got my MND diagnosis I was determined it would not define my policing career. I’ve served the people of the West Midlands for almost three decades; it’s what I’ve achieved over those years that I’ll reflect on and it’s humbling to now have royal recognition.
“It’s been a genuine honour to have worked with West Midlands Police for so long and I intend to continue doing so for as long as is physically possible.”
In his role he is responsible for the operations portfolio overseeing traffic policing, dogs, response units, contact centre and firearms, plus other specialist police teams.
It’s a busy, demanding job that typically involves long and irregular hours. But ACC Johnson – a former police commander in Birmingham and Dudley – said the force has made some “simple and cheap adaptations” to allow him to continue working.
Since his MND diagnosis, the officer has been helping raise awareness of the illness through a personal force video and an interview on BBC Radio 2’s Jeremy Vine show.
View on Police Oracle
ACC Chris Johnson: Receiving the QPM on Saturday
An assistant chief living with a terminal illness has achieved royal recognition for his “remarkable contribution” to policing.
ACC Chris Johnson, who has vowed to serve the public for as long as possible despite his Motor Neurone Disease diagnosis, is set to receive a Queen’s Police Medal for distinguished service at a special ceremony in Birmingham on Saturday.
A letter from the Home Office announcing the honour relays Home Secretary Sajid Javid’s “appreciation” for the West Midland officer’s 29 years’ service.
It was April last year that the 52-year-old achieved a career ambition in a promotion to assistant chief constable with his hometown force after working his way up from beat bobbie on the streets of Birmingham.
But just months later, having returned from a holiday to Florida to celebrate his promotion, his world came crashing down when he was told he had MND − a terminal condition affecting the brain, spinal cord and nerves that ultimately stops muscles functioning.
He said: “Being appointed assistant chief constable was a hugely proud moment for me – I wasn’t sure it would get much better but receiving this award, especially as it’s nominated by police colleagues, is certainly on a par with that.
“When I got my MND diagnosis I was determined it would not define my policing career. I’ve served the people of the West Midlands for almost three decades; it’s what I’ve achieved over those years that I’ll reflect on and it’s humbling to now have royal recognition.
“It’s been a genuine honour to have worked with West Midlands Police for so long and I intend to continue doing so for as long as is physically possible.”
In his role he is responsible for the operations portfolio overseeing traffic policing, dogs, response units, contact centre and firearms, plus other specialist police teams.
It’s a busy, demanding job that typically involves long and irregular hours. But ACC Johnson – a former police commander in Birmingham and Dudley – said the force has made some “simple and cheap adaptations” to allow him to continue working.
Since his MND diagnosis, the officer has been helping raise awareness of the illness through a personal force video and an interview on BBC Radio 2’s Jeremy Vine show.
View on Police Oracle
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BBC- Cheshire Police panel chairman voted out over LGBT lanyard row
ParochialYokal posted a topic in UK Policing News,
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/uk-england-manchester-48885996
I am not sure on what plant this individual was on when he challenged the Deputy Chief Constable?
There really does appear to be a very high concentration of ‘gammons’ in Cheshire whom are still lingering about the policing space and expressing a view on things. At least this one has been unceremoniously put in his place.
I am not sure on what plant this individual was on when he challenged the Deputy Chief Constable?
There really does appear to be a very high concentration of ‘gammons’ in Cheshire whom are still lingering about the policing space and expressing a view on things. At least this one has been unceremoniously put in his place.
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Disabled association demands review to end 'appalling statistics for badly let down police workforce'
Fedster posted a topic in Police Oracle Features,
World-first conference tells chiefs: Today we are where women were in policing 30 years ago.
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Post in Ambulance Paramedic Legality?
BlueBob + posted a post in a topic,
If you do a quick search, this topic and the cases you refer have been discussed at length. Even the bland title of paramedic leaves lots of options to say yes and no. Did you want to be more specific or offer a scenario?