Cameron 27 Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 (edited) This video is quite interesting and it is police related because BTP appear in parts of it, Edited May 12, 2015 by Fedster 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ParochialYokal 1,119 Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 The BTP definately had the best uniform back in the 1990s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soap + 1,575 Posted May 13, 2015 Share Posted May 13, 2015 The BTP definately had the best uniform back in the 1990s. The current uniform makes you highly recognisable in my opinion though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radman + 2,165 Posted May 13, 2015 Share Posted May 13, 2015 (edited) Interesting video, I appreciate the work revenue inspectors do and some of them are very well trained, as seen in the video conducting interviews under caution and reporting people for summons however some aren't all too well trained or recruited for that matter - others tend to have little discretion. It is quite frustrating in the video where it states ticket officers don't have a power of arrest, they have a very old power of detention available to them both under the Regulation of Railways Act 1840 and Regulation of Railways Act 1889 with the caveat to request help from MoPs! (Victorians took their fare dodging seriously) Also if the bloke is using someone else's pass you're looking at theft/fraud so a power of arrest would exist with any person powers anyway. The current uniform makes you highly recognisable in my opinion though. Too recognisable, you can't sneak up on anyone in that silly day-glow jacket. Plus I loath having BTP written on my back, very proud being BTP but there is alot of misconception with the public, some of whome believe you're a glorified PCSO and not a cop - doesn't help when every force up our way just has 'Police.' Edited May 13, 2015 by Radman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soap + 1,575 Posted May 13, 2015 Share Posted May 13, 2015 Interesting video, I appreciate the work revenue inspectors do and some of them are very well trained, as seen in the video conducting interviews under caution and reporting people for summons however some aren't all too well trained or recruited for that matter - others tend to have little discretion. It is quite frustrating in the video where it states ticket officers don't have a power of arrest, they have a very old power of detention available to them both under the Regulation of Railways Act 1840 and Regulation of Railways Act 1889 with the caveat to request help from MoPs! (Victorians took their fare dodging seriously) Also if the bloke is using someone else's pass you're looking at theft/fraud so a power of arrest would exist with any person powers anyway. Too recognisable, you can't sneak up on anyone in that silly day-glow jacket. Plus I loath having BTP written on my back, very proud being BTP but there is alot of misconception with the public, some of whome believe you're a glorified PCSO and not a cop - doesn't help when every force up our way just has 'Police.' I was amazed the other week at Brooklands, I saw a BTP copper wearing a black tac vest. Are these a standard issue thing? Or is he an old sweat? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Global Moderators MindTheGap 1,275 Posted May 13, 2015 Global Moderators Share Posted May 13, 2015 I was amazed the other week at Brooklands, I saw a BTP copper wearing a black tac vest. Are these a standard issue thing? Or is he an old sweat? Or he's a specialist or on the uniform trial! Though the HV will be gotten rid of (hopefully) soon... I do like the 1990s/early 2000s uniform - particularly our chequered yokes on our NATOs, glad I've got one for the winter months, beautiful garment. I hate our issued fleece. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ForceHQ 117 Posted May 13, 2015 Share Posted May 13, 2015 Do BTP still issue custodians to male insp with the double silver band? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Global Moderators MindTheGap 1,275 Posted May 13, 2015 Global Moderators Share Posted May 13, 2015 I think that ended about 4-5 years ago - some inspectors still have them and some acquire their own Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ForceHQ 117 Posted May 13, 2015 Share Posted May 13, 2015 That's a shame. Having said that, I have seen insp in my force wear 'normal' custodians every so oftern. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krycek 1,190 Posted May 14, 2015 Share Posted May 14, 2015 I think that ended about 4-5 years ago - some inspectors still have them and some acquire their own Fairly sure they are still issued, I'm sure I've seen them on the uniform order form (Custodian Male INSP) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve + 1,217 Posted May 14, 2015 Share Posted May 14, 2015 Do BTP still issue custodians to male insp with the double silver band? Yup I have been issued one! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobbie 191 Posted May 14, 2015 Share Posted May 14, 2015 The narrator on this film is rather dull 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ParochialYokal 1,119 Posted May 14, 2015 Share Posted May 14, 2015 (edited) Plus I loath having BTP written on my back, very proud being BTP but there is alot of misconception with the public, some of whome believe you're a glorified PCSO and not a cop - doesn't help when every force up our way just has 'Police.' Do you get this often? I guess if if you stand out and look different from the locals then it may make people curious. I never once had anyone mention it or question my status when I was in the BTP. A couple of people thought that it meant 'traffic police' but it was never mentioned. Edited May 14, 2015 by ParochialYokal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radman + 2,165 Posted May 15, 2015 Share Posted May 15, 2015 Do you get this often? I guess if if you stand out and look different from the locals then it may make people curious. I never once had anyone mention it or question my status when I was in the BTP. A couple of people thought that it meant 'traffic police' but it was never mentioned. Outside of London BTP is generally an unknown entity, I'd never heard of the force until I saw a very oddly marked orange striped Nissan Tarano drive passed me one day that I couldn't place. The problem I think lies in the wording on our backs, people assume unless you just have 'police' on your uniform you're some kind of PCSO or warden type, totally ignoring your baton, cuffs and spray. There are the odd exceptions however, I've had some of the older members of society comment on how when they were younger they were told "Not to mess around/upset the railway police" as we had a reputation of being more 'hard line' than council police, how true this is I don't know but I've had more than one person make such a comment - we probably had a team of hard nosed cops policing my area in the 50s/60s - who knows? I will also generally wear my custodian over my flat cap for the reason of being identifiable, there is no arguing who you are with the big hat on, plus it looks smart too. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soap + 1,575 Posted May 15, 2015 Share Posted May 15, 2015 Outside of London BTP is generally an unknown entity, I'd never heard of the force until I saw a very oddly marked orange striped Nissan Tarano drive passed me one day that I couldn't place. The problem I think lies in the wording on our backs, people assume unless you just have 'police' on your uniform you're some kind of PCSO or warden type, totally ignoring your baton, cuffs and spray. There are the odd exceptions however, I've had some of the older members of society comment on how when they were younger they were told "Not to mess around/upset the railway police" as we had a reputation of being more 'hard line' than council police, how true this is I don't know but I've had more than one person make such a comment - we probably had a team of hard nosed cops policing my area in the 50s/60s - who knows? I will also generally wear my custodian over my flat cap for the reason of being identifiable, there is no arguing who you are with the big hat on, plus it looks smart too. Initally, BTP was drafted from the other railway folk, and in my reading, it seemed like it was initially an old boys club. Not so anymore! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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