Complaints against officers

[Dan!Dan!Dan! 258]

https://www.facebook.com/nic.spencer11/posts/10152008158347322

Here are my reasons for quitting after 10 years. My resignation letter. Enjoy all. Share, like, disagree, comment. Whatever you want!

Nicola Sargant

A/Detective Sergeant

Eltham LPT

29th March 2014

Dear Inspector *****,

I am writing to you formally, to issue notice of my intention to resign from the Metropolitan Police Service.

I would like to point out before I go any further, that this is not a decision I have taken lightly. I have gone through several emotions and scenarios prior to making my final decision in submitting this letter to you. I have deliberated this for quite some time with my family and friends, I have doubted myself, I have cried at the thought of what I am walking away from and I have been fearful of what the future holds but unfortunately, there is only so much a human being can take before they are finally pushed to the point of no return.

With the greatest respect to you as my line manager and the few individuals I admire, in my opinion, this organisation has become a complete farce and I no longer wish to be a passenger on a sinking Titanic.

Since day one of my training at Hendon, 10 years ago, I knew I had the will, drive and determination to succeed and progress my career but most importantly of all, I wanted to make a positive difference to those people in desperate need of intervention and support. In my first few years as a Police Officer, I was able to do just that, I loved getting up in the morning and coming to work wondering what was in store, wondering who I could help, who I could arrest and who I could make a real difference to. I was so proud of being a Police Officer, and back then I had no doubts whatsoever that I was here for the long haul.

In my early days Police Officers were not constrained and suffocated by meeting ever changing targets for offences that politicians decided would be their flavour of the month offence. We all knew we were here to do a certain job. That job was to protect the public and to fight crime. We got on with it. We were given the time we needed to deal with whatever situation arose properly and according to the victims needs. We had time to take statements and gather evidence in the crucial early stages of incidents, or even to just sit with an inconsolable victim who needed some comfort at their lowest points. We were given time to put reports on to a high enough standard that secondary investigators would not have to waste hours upon hours mopping up the mess that nowadays officers leave behind. It is a very sad reality that a large proportion of present day frontline officers are continually cutting corners and making mistakes on the most basic of tasks, on a regular basis. I have personally reviewed many crime reports where supposed ‘initial investigators’ have missed sometimes vital pieces of evidence or clear and immediate lines of enquiry because they need to rush off and meet the target time of the next call. How are we possibly providing the public a good service in these circumstances? And in what way are we supporting or even attempting to ease the ever increasing burden of secondary investigators and Detectives by getting it right at the front end first time as the Commissioner has quoted so many times? It simply is not happening.

Having just completed the Commissioner’s 2-day Leadership Programme I almost fell off my chair when I learned the Mayor of London’s 20.20.20 target for the Metropolitan Police, the most farcical of any targets I have ever seen! There is absolutely no way on this earth that we can (legitimately) cut costs by 20%, reduce neighbourhood crime by 20% and increase public confidence by 20% in this current climate.

On a personal level I have been let down by this organisation beyond repair. I was given the role of Acting Detective Sergeant in 2010 after my then line manager left for another job. I did not ask for this role but was approached by my senior managers at that time who informed me that they believed I had the potential to get the job done and go far. I felt valued and honoured to be chosen over my peers and once I accepted the role, I worked the hardest I could on keeping my team motivated to prove that I could be a good leader and manager within a busy Domestic Violence Unit. I relished the opportunity and excelled in driving performance up and getting the best results I could for the victims, for the unit I worked in, and for my borough. I was actively encouraged to develop as a leader and told on several occasions how highly I was regarded among the senior management on the borough. As a result, some senior managers would often approach me with items from their own workloads asking me to assist in completing projects. Despite my own heavy workload I wanted to show I was capable of any task given to me so I never once turned down a request from any senior manager who had asked for my help. Each time I was asked to take on an additional task I would be told the same thing by my superiors “This will be great evidence for your promotion” or “It’s a good development opportunity”. I was assured that when the time came for a promotion process to be announced I would be stood in very good stead because of all the additional projects I had undertaken outside of my individual remit, even taking on work at Inspector level two ranks higher than myself!

Some three years later, after collectively filling up a mailbox with a wealth of evidence for promotion, the announcement was made. I took so much time making sure I picked the best examples of evidence that would make me stand out from the rest as I knew the process would be competitive. I had it on good faith that I was the number one candidate for my borough and it was more of a formality for me getting the promotion, as I had effectively been doing a Sergeant’s job, very well, for the preceding 3 years already. I knew my application was strong because some senior managers had helped me in selecting the right examples to make sure my application was water tight, even checking it for me afterwards.

Yesterday I received a phone call from my Chief Inspector telling me I did not even get through the paper sift stages. I was completely dumbfounded! I have devoted over 10 years of my life to this job, blood, sweat, tears and all. I have devised training packages, I have set up shift patterns, I have assisted in bringing new services to victims on the borough, I have volunteered in my own time talking to children coming from broken and violent homes, I have lead several investigation and proactive teams, I have obtained funding for additional services, I have organised hit days, you name it, I have done it. I have probably completed more work as a Sergeant in the past 3 years than an actual substantive Sergeant, or in some cases, Inspectors!

It was at that point yesterday the reality finally sank in to me. No one actually cares about me or where my career is going. I am nothing but a number and that’s all I ever will be. I am simply a cog in this rusty old machine that grinds over and over, maybe soon to even break down completely. My home life has suffered on so many occasions due to being a Police Officer but you manage to find it within yourself to keep going knowing that you are helping others that need it. As I stated in the beginning of this letter there is only so much we can take as human beings before we decide to say “no more” and for me, that time has now come.

I am not prepared to support an organisation that clearly does not support its individuals or give recognition where it is worked hard for and deserved (despite what senior police officers say publicly).

Sir, thank you for taking time to read this and I would like to make it clear nothing I have said is intended towards you personally. I would also like to thank you for supporting me in the past few months I have worked for you.

I am aware that in accordance with Regulations, I am required to provide you with one month’s notice. Therefore I would like this notice to take effect from the date of this letter and my last day of service for pay purposes and my MetHR record will be 30th April 2014.

Yours sincerely,

A/DS Nicola Sargant

[kester1546080880 2]

Probably. It woudl depend on what i was going to do after. We work in a strange, backward job where we prise honestly and integrity highly but get destroyed for speaking the truth about anything. Once you are out they cant come after you, which is why so many CC'S find that they dissagree with so many things when they retire but said naff all when they were in.

[sopcor123 * 1]

Hi

You have put it in a nut shell, and as you feel so annoyed at things you are doing the right thing, but please dont think about joining the MDP they are worse believe me , I know you didnt mention them, but please remember what i say.

Good luck for the future another good officer lost .

[stewie_griffin + 484]

I thought it was too long, although I sympathise with the writer to some degree, doing all that extra work in the hope of achieving something and then not even getting a look in must be disappointing.

But, aren't we all just numbers, cogs in a rusty old machine, hoping to get paid ?

[Reasonable Man + 1,231]

Error

Edited April 7, 2014 by Reasonable Man

[irishwarrior 0]

She clearly is not getting enough attention. The letter is of smeone who has done a good job (in her eyes) but has not been praised enough or had the right number of pats on the back.

It says home life has suffered and she is clearly bitter at the amount of extra (free) work she has done.

i feel sorry for her. BUT. The lesson here is never assume. And never assume you will be given a job that you are acting up for!

We are all cogs as a previous poster says. We all get into this job to help and make a difference. You shouldnt need other people to tell you when you have done a good job. We are all well able to praise ourselves.

?

Edited April 21, 2014 by irishwarrior

[Meditate 307]

True, but it doesn't hurt for the organisation or individuals within it to give praise on occasion. Considered good management really. I do agree with the comment though that just because you have been acknowledged (or praised) for doing a good job does not mean that you become automatically entitled - take it for what it is. If we take the letter on face value the thing I would question is that in leaving where does she think she will go where she can guarantee receiving the recognition she thinks should be given?

[Slippery When Wet 3]

Does she know who did get the promotion then, and if yes, how was their application stronger than hers.

Sounds pretty crappy though. Glad I'm out of it.

[Not_happy_jan 0]

Does Nicola really think her Inspector read all that? :tongue:

When i resign (soon) my letter is going to say "thanks and bye suckers"

[Anthony_ 0]

Basically got a sad on over not getting a promotion. Fair one.

[ErnestoGonzaga 11]

Basically got a sad on over not getting a promotion. Fair one.

a sad on. :smiley_notworthy:

[grumpy1546620061 1]

Taking ten years to realise the job was a crock,my she must have had a large workload to keep her busy.

[callum_sp 0]

Taking ten years to realise the job was a crock,my she must have had a large workload to keep her busy.

Your username says it all

[Pigman. 0]

Bit slow this forum ! ..... but

Everyone goes through the process of jacking it all in when things don't go how you want them to ....

I reckon i could have sent one of these letters about every 5-7 years in my 30 years .... Wrote them on two occasions , wrote two "Up yours" memo's too.

One was to a Traffic Inspector who i was due to work for as i had been selected and his words " You were top of the list exceeding essential criteria in all areas" , he then continued to lie over several weeks trying to get me to work somewhere i didn't want to , i eventually told him i no longer wished to work for a provable liar and then went into describing his lies , he received this memo a copy of which was also sent to his supervisor .... I didn't go onto Traffic but i felt alot better getting it off my chest and he got moved ha !

Would be nice to know if she did jack it in ,,,,bet she didn't

[Bruce 0]

She clearly is not getting enough attention. The letter is of smeone who has done a good job (in her eyes) but has not been praised enough or had the right number of pats on the back.

It says home life has suffered and she is clearly bitter at the amount of extra (free) work she has done.

i feel sorry for her. BUT. The lesson here is never assume. And never assume you will be given a job that you are acting up for!

We are all cogs as a previous poster says. We all get into this job to help and make a difference. You shouldnt need other people to tell you when you have done a good job. We are all well able to praise ourselves.

[emoji4]

I'm guessing you are either retired or ride a desk with that comment.