ted123 4 Posted June 21, 2015 Share Posted June 21, 2015 (edited) I've just watched a YouTube video on "the hidden side of UK police forces" There were some clips which raised concern where officers have ignored calls over the radio or failed to respond to a 999. Examples include: - A domestic disturbance had been reported but the officer driving said "there are plenty of people on B shift to handle this" yet the incident was just around the corner - In another clip an officer admits to driving past a victim bleeding out to get home for a football game - A 999 call comes in, all other officers are on other calls. One officer refuses to respond as he is "mealing" and his colleague has has to look on helplessly. I would find it extremely frustrating if I encountered such situations especially if I hadn't yet reached independent patrol status. I don't think I could allow my colleague to just drive by and pretend nothing was seen if I noticed someone bleeding out in need of assistance...and the same would be said for any incident. Like any other special constable, I am joining the police because I want to help people and am passionate about the role. I can only imagine these situations are harder for a special because we are all passionate about police work and doing our duties, hence why we volunteer! Has anyone ever experienced anything like this? How have you or how would you deal with it? Edited June 21, 2015 by Fedster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fedster + 1,307 Posted June 21, 2015 Share Posted June 21, 2015 I am sure this this video has been discussed before yonks' ago on the old forum, however I think the essence of the conversation was rightful distaste at certain officers behaviour, but also criticism at Channel 4 who aired this Doc about their misrepresentation of officers views and selective editing. Please do correct me if I am wrong, have not watched the doc again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocket + 6,403 Posted June 21, 2015 Share Posted June 21, 2015 Responding to one example, surely police officers are entitled to have a break and have something to eat, if there is such a staff shortage that there is nobody to respond to the call then isn't this a management failure rather than that of the officer? 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ted123 4 Posted June 21, 2015 Author Share Posted June 21, 2015 (edited) Most likely but I don't really wish to discuss the video hence why I removed the link and posted in General. I instead wanted to discuss what to do in this situation if your colleague may not be as enthusiastic as you to respond to a call. I understand this is more likely to happen come end of shift. I would always be prepared to give up more of my time to help someone in need even if it were the end of shift. Edited June 21, 2015 by ted123 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ted123 4 Posted June 21, 2015 Author Share Posted June 21, 2015 Responding to one example, surely police officers are entitled to have a break and have something to eat, if there is such a staff shortage that there is nobody to respond to the call then isn't this a management failure rather than that of the officer? Agreed. I'm not slating him as such I am just asking what would one do in this situation? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LankyDan + 293 Posted June 21, 2015 Share Posted June 21, 2015 Most likely but I don't really wish to discuss the video, but what to do in this situation if your colleague may not be as enthusiastic as you to respond to a call...particularly come end of shift. Remember the officer your working with does the job day in day out. They finish late all the time... Sometimes every shift... They miss birthdays... They are late for a romantic meal with a loved one... You can't expect them to be as enthusiastic about responding to a call as you... They deal with the same rubbish day in day out. From your post it seems your a newish special? Officers will often know what jobs are urgent and those that can wait till the next shift and that comes with experience. Not all officers are like the ones in the video. Some just like to tuck their kids into bed as they haven't seen them for the last week. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ted123 4 Posted June 21, 2015 Author Share Posted June 21, 2015 (edited) I haven't started yet so don't have this experience. I also don't have a family. I am not saying every officer is alike and I am not saying that they do not deserve to go home to their families. Everyone's circumstances are different. I am simply asking what one would do in this situation and how best to handle it? Would you trust that officers judgement with no questions asked for example because as you say, he has more experience and knows what's urgent? Edited June 21, 2015 by ted123 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocket + 6,403 Posted June 21, 2015 Share Posted June 21, 2015 I haven't started yet so don't have this experience. I also don't have a family. I am not saying every officer is alike and I am not saying that they do not deserve to go home to their families. I am simply asking what one would do in this situation and how best to handexanple? Would you trust that officers judgement with no questions asked for example because as you say, he has more experience and knows what's urgent? You must have a family? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanW + 1,916 Posted June 21, 2015 Share Posted June 21, 2015 I haven't started yet so don't have this experience. I also don't have a family. I am not saying every officer is alike and I am not saying that they do not deserve to go home to their families. Everyone's circumstances are different. I am simply asking what one would do in this situation and how best to handle it? Would you trust that officers judgement with no questions asked for example because as you say, he has more experience and knows what's urgent? if your crew mate was going off and you could assist, simply speak to your skipper and say "I can go to that if it helps?" I have had it the other way in the past where I got in a few hours early following an appointment, and wasn't worth going home, I heard a call come out, popped my head into the Sgts office and offered to head up there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCSD 329 Posted June 21, 2015 Share Posted June 21, 2015 To be fair, it's that busy these days if we deployed to every job there was no patrol for we'd never be going off duty. I got kept on for 5 hours past my finishing time last week for no other reason other than my section were short (I had been on a varied shift). The overtime just isn't worth it these days, not when you're running on empty and at the point of burning out. I even heard them shouting out a grade 1 (response time 10 minutes) that hadn't been deployed to for 35! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScotLass + 638 Posted June 21, 2015 Share Posted June 21, 2015 If it were me, and a call came in with "any unit available to attend", I would probably say to my colleague, "do you want me to shout us up for that?" I would imagine if the reg I was with didn't shout up for it it would be because they have a valid reason or they didn't hear the call. If they just said no and didn't give me a reason, I'd probably mention it to the sergeant. It sounds petty but I'm not interested in working with people who aren't interested in working. I give my time voluntarily and I expect a certain amount of commitment and respect from the force in return. I'm not a diva and if I'm with a reg who has loads of paperwork or things to do then I will offer to help but to refuse to answer a call and not give a reason is downright rude and unprofessional. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cookyy2k 536 Posted June 21, 2015 Share Posted June 21, 2015 We once got "we have a suspected active shooter incident are there any local units available to check it out", complete radio silence, then they called it again to more silence, then started to go through call signs and got about 2 signs down before the firearms shift commander came on and said no unarmed officers within and then the names of 4 roads that made a square around the area. It turned out to be an imitation firearm that a member of public had called in about and sexed the story up a bit. I think we can be forgiven for not clamoring to respond to that... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Growley + 2,436 Posted June 21, 2015 Share Posted June 21, 2015 If it were me, and a call came in with "any unit available to attend", I would probably say to my colleague, "do you want me to shout us up for that?" I would imagine if the reg I was with didn't shout up for it it would be because they have a valid reason or they didn't hear the call. If they just said no and didn't give me a reason, I'd probably mention it to the sergeant. It sounds petty but I'm not interested in working with people who aren't interested in working. I give my time voluntarily and I expect a certain amount of commitment and respect from the force in return. I'm not a diva and if I'm with a reg who has loads of paperwork or things to do then I will offer to help but to refuse to answer a call and not give a reason is downright rude and unprofessional. As much as people shouldn't be shirking work, you will soon find yourself unpopular if you go to the sergeant every time a regular chooses not to answer a call without giving a reason. In the scenario you've given, you haven't even asked them why, you've just asked if they want to go and expect them to fully elaborate on the spot or be reported to a supervisor. There are a couple of very valid reasons they may not want to attend, and which they may feel uncomfortable telling you about: They may be feeling unwell or overworked for whatever reason They may not feel experienced enough to competently take the call (common amongst some probationers who're sent out alone/with equally inexperienced people). They may (rightly or wrongly) not be sufficiently confident in you yet that they feel safe in taking the call. They may be aware of some units who're hiding from the radio, and are waiting for the supervisor to challenge them (it happens). 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sappmer 219 Posted June 21, 2015 Share Posted June 21, 2015 Hm, this reminds me of something that happened in the last week. I don't want to discuss it in a public area though (it's not really that bad but it annoyed me somewhat). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScotLass + 638 Posted June 22, 2015 Share Posted June 22, 2015 As much as people shouldn't be shirking work, you will soon find yourself unpopular if you go to the sergeant every time a regular chooses not to answer a call without giving a reason. In the scenario you've given, you haven't even asked them why, you've just asked if they want to go and expect them to fully elaborate on the spot or be reported to a supervisor. There are a couple of very valid reasons they may not want to attend, and which they may feel uncomfortable telling you about: They may be feeling unwell or overworked for whatever reason They may not feel experienced enough to competently take the call (common amongst some probationers who're sent out alone/with equally inexperienced people). They may (rightly or wrongly) not be sufficiently confident in you yet that they feel safe in taking the call. They may be aware of some units who're hiding from the radio, and are waiting for the supervisor to challenge them (it happens). That's true, you're right, I'd probably ask why before I went to the sergeant. I'm very lucky in that most of the people I've been paired with so far are quite proactive and will often shout up for things where no additional assistance is specifically requested. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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