The views expressed in this blog are mine, all mine and don't necessarily reflect those of the Police Service!
I hope that you wont be offended by anything I say, because no offence was intended.

Wednesday 28 May 2008

Mixed Messages

It seems that the Ministry of Justice and Commisioner of the MET, don't talk to each other.
Whilst the MOJ, are releasing convicted criminals, in order to free up some space, Sir Ian BLAIR is calling for tougher sentences!

The thing that makes me laugh, is that Blair thinks PCSO's will be able to prevent witness intimidation! How exactly? It's not their fault, but with no real powers, what's the difference between a PCSO and a Court Usher, trying to keep order in court?

It seems to me that this government is like a pissed up chav on a Saturday night. It's stumbling along, in several directions at once. It has no real idea where its going or how its going to get there, but it sure as hell, thinks it knows best!

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Blair trying to keep his job safe from Boris by finally trying to Act Tough.
Home Office Minister Tony McNulty meanwhile told Sky News there is nothing more that the government can do to protect the public from violent crime.

PC Plastic Fuzz said...

It would wholeheartedly depend on where that PCSO was from as to the level of training, powers and their overall effectiveness. If it were a PCSO from somewhere like BTP for example, then they would be a pretty substantial force to be reckoned with, within the court. If it was a Wiltshire PCSO, then you’d probably be right. You may as well have a court Usher.

It comes sown to training, uniform and powers. BTP are leading the way in my opinion. They have their PCSOs miles ahead of the HO forces in terms of effectiveness and training.

People forget that the PCSOs in their force could be pants in comparison to neighbouring force, sorry, service. The powers, training and uniform vary vastly from area to area and no two forces/services PCSOs will be the same, or as effective/ineffective.

Have a look at the Matrix of powers to give you some idea of how inconsistent it all is.

http://police.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/community-policing/PCSOs_Audit_Table_May_2007_1.pdf?view=Binary

blueknight said...

..They want to make sure that the proper sentences are handed out to act as a deterrent and that a robust approach is taken so that prosecutions can be brought earlier to reduce the opportunity for witnesses and victims to be “got at”...
I read The Times report quickly and it looked as if Comm. Blair wanted the PCSOs to patrol the Court and make sure the sentencing was adequate.
Perhaps that would not be such a bad idea.