MIB - Black RIB's patroling the thames area

[Bergman]

Re: Is your reply your 1000th post?

Yes this ismy 1000th post. Thank you for pointing it out, I don't look at my profile very often, most days I can remember who I am.

Still don't know the difference between a rogue and a vagabond.

Like the 1361 thing. Assuming the "three or four of the most worthy in the county" are now JPs does this give them a right of arrest, and particularly a right (or duty?) to chastise?

Which sounds great fun. In fact the more I read this the more I like it, particularly:

"and to inquire of all those that have been pillors and robbers in the parts beyond the sea, and be now come again, and go wandering, and will not labor as they were wont in times past: and to take and arrest all those that they may find by indictment, or by suspicion, and to put them in prison"

Perhaps invoke this bit specially for certain Forum members. The kangaroo courts could take on a whole new level of interest.

 

[Peppermint]

Re: The usual sequence of events is

They threaten to prosecute the officers in question. All of the other coppers threaten to go on strike and it's all swept away with a bit of wrist slapping.

It does make you think though. In the times we live in. Where not only can a policeman or a soldier find himself prosecuted in civil courts, but his actions can come back to haunt him 20 or 30 years later. Why on earth does anyone want the job?

 

[KevB]

Re: MIB - Black RIB\'s patrolling the Thames area

[ QUOTE ]
I just wish that our authorities had sufficient integrity to charge policemen for the accidental crimes they commit - but that'll never happen

[/ QUOTE ]

The key word in your post is "accidental". They are put in a position where a second could make the difference between their own life or death. I know which side of caution I'd be on.

If I mess up at work, I can normally put right what went wrong and it's no big deal. If an armed cop messes up it's a little bit harder to put right!!

 

[abraxus]

Re: The usual sequence of events is

[ QUOTE ]
Why on earth does anyone want the job?


[/ QUOTE ]

I sometimes question some the types and reasons they join myself.

However, not bad pay, subsidised housing, early retirement on full pension, various stress/trauma/injury compensations available.

These are a few of the non psychlogical reasons for joining.

 

[Bergman]

Re: MIB - Black RIB\'s patrolling the Thames area

Tend to agree

The situation in principle is very clear, although I accept the practice is more difficult.

If the police officer believes a person presents a lethal and immediate threat to him or to another person he can shoot him.

I have no problem with this, I don't think anyone else has either.

Perhaps sad that society seemsto be getting more violent but if we expect the police to protect us we have to give them the means.

However

A number of things cause me concern

Firstly the way in which this lethal threat is interpreted. It increasingly seems that possession of something resembling a weapon is justification enough.

Secondly the tendancy to behave in a secretive and covert manner. The police can only be effective where they operate with the concent of the community which they police and that concent canonly be given if the police are open and honest about how they operate.

Thirdly the tendancy to imitate the USA. Why for example is it necessary for firearms officers to wear baseball caps. Why increasingly do British policemen look like American cops.

Truncheons used to be carried in a concealed pocket now side handled batons are seen hanging from belts. As seen today a police officer presents a threatening figure. Flak jacket, belt kit with large manacles, baton, radios and other bits and pieces.

I have an old fashioned notion that policemen wore smart uniforms that commanded a degree of respect rather than seeking to instil fear.

All of which perhaps accounts for an increasing number of people are prepared to give the police less and less benefit of any doubt - which cannot be good for the police

Or the rest of us.

 

[milltech]

Re: MIB - Black RIB\'s patroling the thames area

[ QUOTE ]
If our troops in Basra can ( usually ) go around in berets, trying to do 'hearts and minds', why on earth cannot this bunch of 'accidents-looking-for-somewhere' do the same....?

Brave New World.

[/ QUOTE ]

A good point. Why Customs and Excise need to charge around all dressed in black looking like the SAS on active service is a mystery to me, and the same goes for any others too. I guess we don't have "hearts and minds" worth preserving.

 

[RichardPerou]

Re: MIB - Black RIB\'s patrolling the Thames area

I believe that the call cam from a pub.

 

[BrendanS]

Re: MIB - Black RIB\'s patrolling the Thames area

It all depends on what you deem reasonable. Having seen Staines on a Friday eve, I'm more than delighted I live in a semi rural location. Just watching a prog on TV entitled Glasgow, murder capital of Europe.

It suggests that police have their work cut out handling things diplomatically, and without arms. I'm gobsmacked that out police are amongst the few in the world that routinely handle this stuff without being armed, or wanting to be so. Not to mention the fire and ambulance crews who routinely come under attack in inner cities these days.

 

[Bergman]

Re: MIB - Black RIB\'s patrolling the Thames area

Yes I suppose your quite right.

Its just that I hate to see bobbies in all the robocop gear.

Obviously I'm past my sell by date and have a distorted, rose tinted view of how things used to be, but a police officer with a proper helmet and shiny buttons, boots and whistle chain always seemed to command more respect somehow.

The last bobby I spoke to was wearing trainers!

And is there any sight more depressing than an attractive policewoman wearing a flak-jacket and carrying a machine gun?

 

[aitchw]

Re: MIB - Black RIB\'s patrolling the Thames area

Have to agree with you, Brendan. No matter how fondly we look back on policing years ago the truth is they have a different world to operate in and it is to their credit that they handle things as well as they do. Yes, there are b*****ds amongst them but there always were. As a motorist and home owner you do get frustrated with police attitudes to certain things but overall I can't complain.

As for the mistakes resulting in the death of innocent people we just have to hope for clarity in the reporting of the circumstances surrounding them and integrity in subsequent action.

British police forces have always operated on the basis of policing by consent. Nothing should be done to undermine that and the public has just as big a responsibility in perpetuating that as the police themselves do.

The more antagonistic we become the more that is in jeopardy.