"Hello. Is that partner check dot com?"
"Yes, how can we help you?"
"Well, what it is right, is I met this bloke down the club last week and he's said I can move in wiv him. I wanna know if he's gonna beat me up?"
"Right, what's his name?"
"Steve Hughes"
"Just hold the line a second, while I check our database.................right, I've found him. He was arrested last year for throwing a cushion at his girlfriend."
"Right thanks. I wont see him no more."
Sounds silly, but that's what Jacqui SMITH's latest barmpot idea is.
Don't get me wrong. I think men that beat women up, are despicable cowards, who should receive long custodial sentances. The trouble is, the present definition of domestic violence, in no way matches what the general public would call domestic violence. Nowaday's people (usually men) are being arrested for the most trivial of matters, from cushion throwing to shouting too loud!
I've no idea who is going to run this database, but I will stick my neck out and say that there will be an awful lot of people on it, who shouldn't be. The problem is, some offenders who are always 'getting away with it' wont appear on the list if it is only for convicted persons. However, if everyone arrested for so-called domestic violence ends up on it, it will be worthless.
In the meantime, behind closed doors, some women will continue to get a good kicking and no one will ever know. Let's stop wasting time on silly gimmicks. What would be useful, are special DV courts, which are held as quickly as possible, before the offender has time to 'change' the victims mind!
Monday 9 March 2009
Friday 6 March 2009
Children's Homes
I would guess, most Police Officers have a Local Authority Children’s Home on their patch. If they’re anything like me, they probably spend a lot of time at them.
These homes house children usually from the ages of 12-16. The kids are usually placed into the homes, because their parents can either no longer control them or have abandoned them. Some have had tough lives, where they have been physically or sexually abused. Others, have drug addicted parents, incapable of looking after them.
I attended our local home recently, after one of the residents had kept the two members of staff awake all night, threatening them that she would ‘do’ them. The girl didn’t cause any damage or assault anyone, but was angry, because she had been picked up by staff (free taxi) an hour earlier than she wanted.
Quite why I had been called is anyone’s guess. The two staff were adamant that they wanted to make a complaint of threats to kill. I asked them what the discipline policy of the home was. They stared at me blankly and said they didn’t think they had one. After a lot of digging, we managed to find a ‘behaviour policy’. It turned out, the behaviour policy does not have any sanctions to impose, if behaviour falls outside acceptable standards.
I had to bite my tongue. What a load of old bollox. Life is all about sometimes having to do things we don’t want to do. If these kids don’t learn the word ‘NO’, then they’ll forever be in trouble. If they don’t listen to reason, they need to realise that they can’t just continue misbehaving. The only way of doing that, is to have sanctions to impose. How many times were you grounded by your parents, when you were young? You soon learnt to behave.
Apparently, because of Human Rights Legislation, staff can do nothing, other than try to reason with the kids. They can’t withhold pocket money, ‘ground’ them, make them do extra chores etc.
Whilst no one wants to go back to the days of child abuse inside care homes, we are heading for anarchy if the present system continues. It is not the job of the Police to discipline children.
These homes house children usually from the ages of 12-16. The kids are usually placed into the homes, because their parents can either no longer control them or have abandoned them. Some have had tough lives, where they have been physically or sexually abused. Others, have drug addicted parents, incapable of looking after them.
I attended our local home recently, after one of the residents had kept the two members of staff awake all night, threatening them that she would ‘do’ them. The girl didn’t cause any damage or assault anyone, but was angry, because she had been picked up by staff (free taxi) an hour earlier than she wanted.
Quite why I had been called is anyone’s guess. The two staff were adamant that they wanted to make a complaint of threats to kill. I asked them what the discipline policy of the home was. They stared at me blankly and said they didn’t think they had one. After a lot of digging, we managed to find a ‘behaviour policy’. It turned out, the behaviour policy does not have any sanctions to impose, if behaviour falls outside acceptable standards.
I had to bite my tongue. What a load of old bollox. Life is all about sometimes having to do things we don’t want to do. If these kids don’t learn the word ‘NO’, then they’ll forever be in trouble. If they don’t listen to reason, they need to realise that they can’t just continue misbehaving. The only way of doing that, is to have sanctions to impose. How many times were you grounded by your parents, when you were young? You soon learnt to behave.
Apparently, because of Human Rights Legislation, staff can do nothing, other than try to reason with the kids. They can’t withhold pocket money, ‘ground’ them, make them do extra chores etc.
Whilst no one wants to go back to the days of child abuse inside care homes, we are heading for anarchy if the present system continues. It is not the job of the Police to discipline children.
Thursday 19 February 2009
The Filth
Oh dear. The mucky Pc's in Brighton are in the mire, over the mire they left in their canteen!
I must admit, every station up and down the land, probably has a similar problem. In my station, the 'washing-up fairies' are often on strike, judging by the mess left behind, by certain shifts!
However, sometimes there are perfectly good reasons why it wasn't done. How many times have you just taken a meal out of the microwave, grabbed a few mouthfuls, before having to dash out to another job. You get a prisoner from it and end up being late off after completing the paperwork. You go home knackered, having forgotten to do the washing up.
Meanwhile, all the shiny backsides, have had their complete refs break, watched a bit of TV, had a snooze and washed their crockery up, but left your plate to develop a nice concrete crust!
This does seem to be a bit over the top, but I can guarantee it is as a result of a complaint from the shiny ass brigade.
I remember when I joined the job, we had a Chief Super who was always bollocking staff for not parking their cars properly. I remember thinking at the time, what a stupid waste of his time. However, an experienced old Pc gave me sound words of advice, "If that's what the silly bugger wants to worry about, let him carry on, if it stops him interfering in proper police work!"
Anyway, is that what the canteen is? A Mess!
I must admit, every station up and down the land, probably has a similar problem. In my station, the 'washing-up fairies' are often on strike, judging by the mess left behind, by certain shifts!
However, sometimes there are perfectly good reasons why it wasn't done. How many times have you just taken a meal out of the microwave, grabbed a few mouthfuls, before having to dash out to another job. You get a prisoner from it and end up being late off after completing the paperwork. You go home knackered, having forgotten to do the washing up.
Meanwhile, all the shiny backsides, have had their complete refs break, watched a bit of TV, had a snooze and washed their crockery up, but left your plate to develop a nice concrete crust!
This does seem to be a bit over the top, but I can guarantee it is as a result of a complaint from the shiny ass brigade.
I remember when I joined the job, we had a Chief Super who was always bollocking staff for not parking their cars properly. I remember thinking at the time, what a stupid waste of his time. However, an experienced old Pc gave me sound words of advice, "If that's what the silly bugger wants to worry about, let him carry on, if it stops him interfering in proper police work!"
Anyway, is that what the canteen is? A Mess!
Monday 16 February 2009
Time to go.......
Todays news is something to celebrate.
Activity Analysis or whatever you call it, is dead and buried. Yippee!
No more filling out a stupid form, every 15 minutes.
The cynic in me says, that the government have scrapped it, because they are embarrased by the amount of time we spend inside the station. Whatever, I don't care. Its gone. Three cheers!!
What will the bean counters do now?
Activity Analysis or whatever you call it, is dead and buried. Yippee!
No more filling out a stupid form, every 15 minutes.
The cynic in me says, that the government have scrapped it, because they are embarrased by the amount of time we spend inside the station. Whatever, I don't care. Its gone. Three cheers!!
What will the bean counters do now?
Thursday 29 January 2009
Equality of the sexes
For years women have been claiming that they are capable of doing the same as men. Well now it seems they are right!
I have noticed that young women have been getting more violent recently. For years there have been lads who go out at night, deliberately looking for trouble. Now, it seems that there are some women who go out with the same intentions.
Call me chauvenistic, but I was taught to treat women as the fairer sex. I've lost count recently, of the number times I have had to use all my strength and UDT skills, to control some drunken fat sl*g!
Are women getting more violent, or just getting more drunk? I suspect it is the latter. However, it doesn't help when the national association for the blah blah blah, say that women are an easy target for police. I would argue the opposite. Most male coppers will probably let a women get away with more bad behaviour than a bloke, purely because they do not like laying hands on women. 
I think this is a site that is going to be more common!
Wednesday 14 January 2009
Another Way to Stay Out of Prison!
For years Police Officers have been battling with the CPS to get cases to court. Identification of a suspect is always an issue. They are often quite insistant on an idenitity parade being conducted (nowadays done by video). If the witness picks out the suspect, then it adds weight to a case. The job wont get anywhere near a court, if there is nothing else to link a suspect.
Well apparently, the identification of a suspect by the witness is no longer good enough, according to Judge James Tabor QC.
Apparently, the witness in this case could not possibly have been able to recognise the offender after a 3 second glimpse. Providing the identification process was complied with correctly and an initial description obtained, which was not markedly different than that of the offender, I cannot see how the Judge can come to this decision.
It is not as if the suspect was a pillar of the community. He had already admitted to a burglary, which as all police officers know, is only because he was bang to rights.
The judge obviously thinks that the suspect is a jolly decent fellow, who has admitted to his misdemeanours. As he denies this case, he could not possibly be guilty.
I only hope someone has the guts to appeal this decision. Otherwise, it sets a dangerous precedent.
Well apparently, the identification of a suspect by the witness is no longer good enough, according to Judge James Tabor QC.
Apparently, the witness in this case could not possibly have been able to recognise the offender after a 3 second glimpse. Providing the identification process was complied with correctly and an initial description obtained, which was not markedly different than that of the offender, I cannot see how the Judge can come to this decision.
It is not as if the suspect was a pillar of the community. He had already admitted to a burglary, which as all police officers know, is only because he was bang to rights.
The judge obviously thinks that the suspect is a jolly decent fellow, who has admitted to his misdemeanours. As he denies this case, he could not possibly be guilty.
I only hope someone has the guts to appeal this decision. Otherwise, it sets a dangerous precedent.
Tuesday 6 January 2009
Pretty Pictures
Who uses the internet the most? I've no idea on official figures, but I would imagine, young people must be near the top. What do some of the less desirable amongst them like to do? That's right, post their exploits on the internet, as a badge of honour! We can see all types of criminal damage, assault, general anti-social behaviour on Youtube and other video sites.
Well, now they don't have to bother. Why, well the government have made Police Forces do it for them.
Ok, that's not strictly true, but I suspect that will be the result of crime mapping. Lets face it, a lot of our neanderthal youth take great pride in being the 'baddest dudes in the ghetto'!Now they can have a league table of their exploits!
Meanwhile, what use will these crime maps be to anyone else? The housing market is on its last legs as it is. What chance to sell your house, now that everyone can see the crime rate for the area.
Vernon Coaker says it will empower people to get involved with their neighbourhood police. Last week, we were told to reassure the public, because they had a higher fear of crime than reality. How is letting them know the exact crime levels going to achieve this?
All I can foresee, is having to do pointless tasks, because Mrs Smith has complained about the level of theft. She has her prize dahlias to worry about. (The fact that the theft figures relate mainly to 'lost' giro cheques, has got nothing to do with it.) I will then have to make regular patrols to reassure her we are taking her complaints seriously.
This is just another piece of pointless bureaucracy, that will do nothing to make the streets any safer. Mr Coaker, stop meddling and leave us alone to do our job.
Well, now they don't have to bother. Why, well the government have made Police Forces do it for them.
Ok, that's not strictly true, but I suspect that will be the result of crime mapping. Lets face it, a lot of our neanderthal youth take great pride in being the 'baddest dudes in the ghetto'!Now they can have a league table of their exploits!
Meanwhile, what use will these crime maps be to anyone else? The housing market is on its last legs as it is. What chance to sell your house, now that everyone can see the crime rate for the area.
Vernon Coaker says it will empower people to get involved with their neighbourhood police. Last week, we were told to reassure the public, because they had a higher fear of crime than reality. How is letting them know the exact crime levels going to achieve this?
All I can foresee, is having to do pointless tasks, because Mrs Smith has complained about the level of theft. She has her prize dahlias to worry about. (The fact that the theft figures relate mainly to 'lost' giro cheques, has got nothing to do with it.) I will then have to make regular patrols to reassure her we are taking her complaints seriously.
This is just another piece of pointless bureaucracy, that will do nothing to make the streets any safer. Mr Coaker, stop meddling and leave us alone to do our job.
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