The Policeman's Blog

Dave,
another good post. This pursuit (or lack of)policy is getting stupid. Look, they chose to nick the bike, I say tough, let's persue, hell, let's deploy the stingers so what if they hurt themselves? It might make 'em reconsider nicking other peoples' stuff, the B*****ds.
Don't the wonderful Scottish constabularies have a "persue no matter what" policy? Isn't it time our wonderful chiefs in England & Wales grew a friggin' pair?

Angry Rozzer.
 

There was a story on this in Saturdays Telegraph. Forces are reluctant to chase bike theives incase the offender sues the Police if they crash and injure themselves! As usual the rights of the criminal coming first. It's happened in Bath as well. What next....advice to burgulars about risk-free ways to break and enter?
 

Let's face it, there isn't any point in catching them anyway. It's not like the Court is going to dan anything with them.
 

I am not a police officer,but can I say to those who have instituted and maintain this policy,'You are a ******* joke!'
 

Sometimes (only sometimes) I feel that maybe Sharia Law might not be a bad thing. It's none too easy to steal a motor-bike with only one hand, and downright dangerous to wave two fingers at the pursuing cops at the same time.
 

This reminds me of the incident a few years ago, where a person shot some people in a back garden of a house, and then (I think) shot himself.

Now, some of those people who had been shot didn't die immediately. Instead they bled to death whilst waiting for the police firearms unit to complete a threat assessment. The police had, by the way, been told by neighbors that they gunman was dead and that the wounded were bleeding to death.

I can't remember exactly where this happened- I think it was one of the Home counties- someone will remind me, no doubt.

Health and safety, don't you love it!

Anyway, I have decided to give up being a law-abiding taxpayer, and go and rob banks, whilst not wearing a crash helmet.

I'll get away with the loot, or the police will chase and catch me, in which case I will sue them for endangering my safety- either way, I'll be the winner.

Anyone care to join me? Perhaps DC or some of our boys in blue- at least that way we'll all be on the winning side for once...
 

Oh yes, for the benefit of the Wiltshire Constabulary witchhunters, re my last post, I had better state that I have no real intention of robbing banks, so you will have to content yourself with strapping just one blogger to your ducking stool...
 

Then this means car thieves can be allowed to escape if they are not wearing seat belts.

It's not so much the police attitude that inspires this. It's the aspect that the criminals can be allowed to sue the police if they crash. The fact they chose to commit the crime is disregarded.

Maybe with all the lovely lolly that get in compensation, they can get lots of lovely nick-nacks for their prison cell.
 

Can anyone cite a case like this in which a pursued someone has actually sued the police and won?

Or is it prosecution by The HSE which the police are actually afraid of?
 

in our force area to ensure lack of boys in blue pursuing please adopt the following policy

1 Do speed up at speed camera sites as the bobby will be scared of discipline if he exceeds the speed limit by more than 20mph...therefore contravening force orders

2 Do commit your crime on a motorbike as NO duty controller will authorise any pursuits with motorbikes

3.Do contravene traffic signals as this is dangerous and we only pursue criminlas who wait at red lights.
 

Talking of health and safety, wasn't it refreshing to see Richard Hammond of Top Gear stating that when doing dangerous activities, things can just go wrong.
I personally engage in some pretty dangerous (legal!) sports, and several of my friends and acquaintances have sadly had fatal accidents. But one thing that we all agree(d) on is that we have no desire for the HSE trouser-wetters to sanitize our sports...
 

All of this reminds me of a remark made by an SAS friend during 'the troubles'. Commenting on the 'shoot-to-kill' policy, he said that if you play big boys games, then you must expect to get hurt. Seems about right to me.
 

This policy is clear evidence to demonstrate a Government's regulations and use of the HRA have gone too far left.

An offender should lose many rights at the point of committing an offence. Not all rights, i think the right to life should remain just long enough to put them before the court.

What if i persue an offender on foot and they trip and breaks their ankle, thsu preventing them from burgling for a week. Could i be sued? If i hadn't chased them, they wouldn't be out of pocket. Where, oh where does it stop, and who's going to grow a pair of hairy ones to stop it!??

The idea that an offender, as in this case, should potentially 'get away' with a theft due to the whinings of some out-of-date, ignorant, possibly unelected, faceless person in their ivory castles; giving more rights to offenders than victims, infuriates me beyond belief.

Viva la revolution

GeneralMotorsPartsCo
 

In my world - the "catch the bas*ard policy" over-rides the "don't pursue motorbikes policy".
I ""follow"" them and try to get them to ""pull over"" - no pursuit - although sometimes I have to put my foot down to catch up with them. But motorbike riders never look behind them - which means I have to follow them for some distance ... Oh- and don't shout up. If they crash then you were either several hundred yards behind else - just about to shout up and abandon the "follow"
 

This is where the Spanish bank robber went wrong, he stupidly wore the helmet the police gave him. If only he hadn't of allowed himself to be conned into such an obvious trap. Wonder whether HSE would have sanctioned this in the UK.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LX9M78ZmcW8
 

THAT was great!

AAAWWWW, but now i want to be driving the unmarked police car that drove in front... can i, can i?

Different world.
 

Can I suggest a little blog poll.


Consider this statement,

“If an offender commits a crime & as a direct result injures him/herself then they should have no right to make any complaint or sue for any financial compensation”

Does anyone disagree?

I am genuinely curious. I would really like to read any sensible point of view in favour of criminals having rights. I ask this question because I believe the overwhelming majority of our society agrees with the above statement. & if that is the case why do we allow such madness?
 

I believe that some of the US states have adopted legislation which allows householders to assume that anyone breaking into their houses is there to kill them. Thus they are allowed to use lethal force. The really beautiful part of it is that the legislation as well as removing criminal liability from the honest citizen also removes civil liability.Known as Castle Doctrine ie your home is your castle No parasite lawyers with spurious legal claims,etc etc. The simplicity of it is enough to make you weep. Anyway who should I transfer to Florida or the the Guardia Civil ?
 

If people want to nick motorbikes and not wear proper safety stuff, tough. Let them injure themselves. Rather them than innocent MoPs
 

Heeee, heeee, hoooo, hoooo, haaaaa, haaaa, [slap]

Sorry, just a bout of hysterical laughter there as I read that Tony Blair has commented that sorting out the Home Office will "...need time", and that "..radical measures" will be required:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6310969.stm

Is it just me that is wondering how long Nu Labour need to sort things out at the Home Office, given that they have had ten years already, and that many people would say that their already implemented "radical measures" (hair-brained schemes and general incompetance) have been central to screwing up the Home Office in the first place...
 

This is rubbish, it's nothing to do with getting 'sued' by the criminals. It's to protect officers from getting prosecuted for death by dangerous driving. Yes, it's true, officers have been charged by the CRIMINAL PROTECTION SERVICE (CPS) for pursuing thieves who then crashed. Sure, as a Sergeant I'm on about £40k, but that ain't no where near enough to risk getting sent down, and for what? To secure an absolute discharge or a 'ban' on an already banned driver? For an ungrateful aggrieved too, no doubt. And what the heck's an 11 year old doing with a m/bike in the first place? No doubt the police were inundatated with calls when HE was racing it around his estate. Sure, I'd love to just run 'em over, course I would. But until the government decide to side with the police it ain't gonna happen. Sorry.

Your frustrated.
 

The force that left the unfortunate victim was Thames Valley. They only went in after a detective drove past, ignoring orders, and confirmed the gunman was gone/dead.
To their credit, TVP learnt from this and now have a much quicker response set up. (note to PSD. No I'm not in TVP but feel free to check.)
Risk aversion drives me nuts! There is risk in catching criminals. We accept it so I'm pretty sodding sure they should!
 

DC

Another interesting post-but the press (both print and other media)are full of this kind of story.

Just when will the bosses take note? And when will this PC rubbish end?

I oike the idea of the Castle Doctrine - isn't it high time that the government asked the people what they wanted? It's no good saying that the government do that already at election time, because often I may agree with one policy of a particular party, but not with everything, but I have to make a judgement about which party I think will do the most good (or bad) - it is a sledgehammer thing. Why not have referenda on a whole host of topics - and have a government which is duty bound to meet the expections of most voters in all cases? Or is that just too silly?

PS-liked the book so much, I left a comment on Amazon!!
 

Quaser- this idea of referenda may not be as outlandish as you think. Remember that in Switzerland they regularly have referenda on a whole host of things.

I am actually looking forward to an SNP victory in Scotland. Remember that Labour gets a whole heap of its vote from there, and if Scotland were to vote for independence then England would instantly become a country rule by conservative governments. And as a bonus, we'd also instantly get rid of Brown, Reid, and sundry other Scottish 'radicals'!
Vote SNP all you Scots: better for you, better for us (English).
 

Must admit Anon, I hadn't thought of an SNP victory producing such a bonus - as an exiled Scot, I am nervous of independence, since I don't think it would serve Scotland as well as the romantic notion of independence does. Mind you, I am impressed at the wealth of areas which the Scottish Parliament does get right for it's people - at least the education and prison services seem to run better, and the use of the procurator fiscal method of justice does work better than the english Criminal Justice System. DC would no doubt feel happier walking the beat near Loch Newtown!
 

As it is burglars already have the right to sue householder's who's dogs happen to bite them after they've broken in - or for some other injury sustained in the course of committing an offence.

This is even more sick making than the possibility of them suing the police.

How long will it be before an aggrieved party sues the police for NOT acting on their behalf?

Or is this just less common?
 

How long will it be before an aggrieved party sues the police for NOT acting on their behalf?


Sorry, it is pretty well established already you can't do that.

What worries me is why ex turpi causa non oritur actio is so little applied. I cannot understand any of the reasoning that allows negligence claims by offenders in such circumstances.
 

“As it is burglars already have the right to sue householder's who's dogs happen to bite them after they've broken in”

Trivial point I know, but couldn’t resist as it is a note of small victory.
If a dog bites someone whilst the dog is within its own(ers) private boundary & the bitee is also within that same boundary. Then it is not an offence. So when Rex bites billy burglars todger off, the dog has done nothing wrong & by default neither has the owner.
 

Has anyone else got a very confusing pursuit policy - it goes on about "following to report" and then that "following" is deemed to be a "pursuit". But then again, are we allowed to actually "pursue" anyone?

It's about time this country stood up and said "enough". You commit a crime and you pay the consequences - whilst I agree that we must not torture people etc. I do get fed up with pussy footing around the criminals and being aware of their rights and comforts and the total lack of concern/regard for the rights of police officers - just to be allowed/able to eat some food or use the loo - is that too much to ask or are WE the second class citizens?

Ooops, just fell off my soapbox!
 

While I firmly believe any person who breaks into the home of another should loose all rights, including, the right to access of oxygen, I can see clear issues in trying to put it down in law.
The main issue is portionality to the crime, bearing in mind the limp wristed actions of a court on any offenders. Why place your career under the spotlight for some kid on a stolen bike?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/6307205.stm

While this story is "extreme" in the context of DC's post, the principles are the same. Car criminals in Belfast have been NAILED TO FENCES in the past, with no real influence on their behaviour as a result. They will just keep doing it.

The PSNI is currently undergoing major changes in pursuit policy- which they never had before- that will protect the officer as much as anything else.
 

As my Granny used to say
" If you fly with the crows, you get shot with the crows"

Benj
 

We can't win can we.
If we follow or pursue and they have an accident we get slated. If we don't we get slated too.
I think that we should follow and if they fall off it's their fault for not stopping.
The trouble in this country is that it's all namby pamby.
Health & safety rules over everything, risk assessments and all that crap.
Lets just face the fact that we cant please everyone and just do what is says on our tin, catch criminals.
 

Can I suggest a little blog poll

Also availible on :-

www.sensiblepolicing.co.uk
 

Anon, your poll is a leeeeettlleee once sided, no? have you thought of asking what the offenders think? oh i forgot - thats what the government did when drafting these stupid rules in the first place...well not exactly asked them, but the next best thing, their social workers, the HSE and all the other eeejuts who give voice to the criminal element, where none should exist. Q
 

PC SouthWest, sorry mate but we cannot just be a tin of RONSEAL, who would do all the shitty jobs that no one else has the remit for except us bobbies.
I would love it if the job just meant thieftaking but because people in this country (mainly the dross) cannot sort out their own lives, the Home Office dont have a Backbone and the Govt dont have a F***in clue we have to clear up all the crap. And if thats not bad enough we gone all pink and fluffy inside!!!
We cant follow them because they might get hurt - NOOOOOOO!!
Like Mr Reid I have sent out my own letter to our crims -

DEAR SCUMBAGS,
COMMIT ANY CRIME AND POLICE WILL STOP YOU, IF YOU GET HURT BECAUSE YOU HAVE COMMITTED A CRIME TOUGH SH1T DONT COMMIT CRIME.
I HAVE SOLVED THE PRISON PROBLEM AS HAVE JUST BOUGHT SOME TANKERS AND WHEN THEY ARE FULL OF YOU SCUMBAGS YOU WILL BE TAKEN TO THE MIDDLE OF THE OCEAN AND THE NATO WILL USE YOU AS TARGET PRACTICE.
THE TICKETS FOR THIS CRUISE ARE FREE ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS COMMIT MORE THAN THREE MINOR CRIMES (THEFT/DRUGS ETC) OR ONE MAJOR CRIME
(RAPE/MURDER OR SPAWNING KIDS)
FREE BURBERRY HATS FOR THE FIRST 100 CRIMS.

REGARDS

POLICE FORCE UK

Is that a bit militant or too pink and fluffy?
 

Who ends up responsible if the scroat failing to stop, kills innocent members of the public?
The police of course!
The finger of blaim will be pointed at the pursuing driver and the ops room for "failing to manage a pursuit".
Complete bollocks.
Time for a change in legislation I think.
 

It's plain to see who is running the country and has been for a while. Either it's the bloke in the suit or the Human Rights Lawyer he lives with. Guess which one?
And with regard to chasing the criminal on foot, if you chase them and they go over 2m high, you can't chase them in our force unless you are height trained. And if they run over a road and get knocked down, have a very good reason for chasing them!!
 

The Bath incident was last year. Absolutely crackers. Shame the pond life didn't fall off and get the mouthful of pavement he so richly deserved.

That said, Bath police were marvellous when some light fingered git prised open our shed on xmas eve. They caught the bottom feeder red-handed with the bike he'd pinched but no doubt they felt the same frustration as DC in knowing that probably very little would happen to him (quite probably a skag addict as Bath has more than it's fair share).
 

bigfellainblue,

I agree to some extent. I think that scumbags should definitely be packed into tankers, but perhaps not blown up. No, we must be more creative:

I think that we can combine this problem with the problem of immigration.
Everyone agrees that we have a limited amount of land in the UK. Therefore, it would be difficult to continue to accept the same *net inflow* of immigrants into this country.

But, I have a plan! Having lived abroad, I know for a fact that there are a ton of well-educated, extremely hard-working people from other countries that give their right-arm to be given the opportunity to come here. And they would no doubt be the most loyal, law-abiding citizens too.

So, I suggest that we borrow a plan from our old mate Fidel Castro- anyone remember the 'Mariel' boatlift in 1980 (depicted in the movie, 'Scarface'), whereby Fidel allowed those who didn't want to live in his socialist 'paradise' to leave? Just one thing, Fidel used it as a cover to empty his prisons of *common* criminals, and they left Cuba and flooded Florida! What a cunning wheeze!

So, why don't we empty our prisons, remove all that expense, and at the same time replace those we lose with a bunch of *worthy* immigrants!

Ahhhh......if only :)
 

As has already been said, a burglar cant sue a householder for being bitten by his dog, nor can a car or bike thief sue the police if they crash and cripple themselves. What surprises me is so many people choose to believe this. How many people have read the above posts and will be repeating them to friends and family. Its just not true. As for assaulting an intruder in your home, either in an attempt to arrest them or to defend your family against god knows what; the chances of being convicted if you acted in good faith are nil. (Tony Martin shot him whilst he was running away).
One of the reasons we are in such a mess is that people believe this tosh. Instead of teaching illegal drivers to read and write and car thieves to banger race, we should be telling law abiding people what they are allowed to do to defend hemseves. When they are approached by some aggressive drunk, do what we do, a solid shove in the chest to create distance, if that doesnt work the next stage, the same with ferral youths. When the youth makes the inevitable complaint,that "some geezer gripped me up, I wont im done" dont rush round and nick the man. See him, explain the offence you are investigating, caution them and listen to what they tell you. Write it up, CPS for an NFA, then file it, easier, quicker and fairer, these are he people we are meant to serve and protect. The best start is telling them they can fight back.
 

With regard to the comment from anon at 2.19 PM relating to Scottish force policies -

In this as in much else we seem to be less far down the road to ruin than many English forces.

If a pursuit starts the first thing done is to try to get a traffic car behind the suspect vehicle. Better car, better driver. Having done this all other vehicles drop back perhaps going to likely bale out locations. If the pursuit goes on for longer than a few minutes the helicopter will be used meaning there is no need for the traffic to stay as close.

The pursuit driver is expected to stand down from the pursuit if the circumstanes present unjustifiable danger TO OTHER MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC (not to the occupants of the suspect vehicle). The control room will ask for regular updates on speed and manner of driving.

At present much is left to the discretion and judgement of the driver involved and control room staff and there is no blanket rulings.
 

Well I REALLY have heard it all now. Too Fu****g dangerous? Oh my God. It's no bloody wonder that my father laughed his head off in 1957 at the notion of his little girl going under cover - to "get" Satan when she grew up. Someone mentioned a while back that the CPS couldn't prosecute Satan. Correct. Not even the special forces would touch him in 1957, or beyond. They left it up to a bunch of kids to deal with when they grew up - which we did. Risk assessment? NOBODY gave a flying f**k about the bloody risk to me, nor was my path smoothed. In fact it was hindered and made as hard as possible. Satan by the way, WAS brought down and DESTROYED on the 24th December 2004, just before the sunami. But has anyone got the balls to tell the world the good news? Not this corrupt self serving government it would appear. Is it because they took possession of his immense wealth, that RIGHTLY belongs to HM The Queen? Something STINKY is going on and I have been SHAFTED, yet again. Bad enough that the B*****D and his mates abused me as a child, but to be f****d over AGAIN really is too much even for MY powers of endurance. DISGUSTED.
 

nurse!!
 

DISGUSTED Anon @12.21am again ....
Sorry, TSUNAMI. I may well have been chosen for the shitiest job in the history of humankind - but I am only human, not perfect, especially at spelling. And whoever posted the comment "nurse"- UP YOURS MATE - because I am telling the truth. You ask David Blunket about the Xmas newspaper headlines of "Perverts Shame" - Home Office declined to name them. Satan who was NOT all human had a 666 birthmark on the top of his head. 5 others topped themselves. So it's no surprise then, IS IT? that the government covered it up. DO NOT DISMISS AS "MAD" A CASE OF WHICH YOU KNOW NOTHING.
 

Given that the best way for a bike thief to escape from a police chase is to take off his helmet.

Would the best way to escape from an armed siege be to pull the old Sheriff Bart.

"Hold it! next man makes a move, the chav gets it!"
"Hold it men he's not bluffing"
"Oh Lordy Lord"
"Will someone help that poor boy"
"Hush, that's a sure way to get him killed"
Exit stage left.

As for bike thieves, maybe some kind of not very lethal harpoon. But please try not to damage the bike.

As a victim of this crime myself, I claim my right to be as unPC and illiberal as I like.
 

FUBAR!!!

Reading this blog, as it often does, just made me angry.

Then I got to Anon 12.21. Now I'm scared!
 

Has anybody got a clue what 12.21 is all about?
 

DISGUSTED at 12.21am. What am I all about? If you have read DC's book he mentions the "battle" between the forces of light and dark. God and the Devil, which he is not involved in - nice cushy well paid job for DC, and good luck to him. Well, I'm the ONE who drew the short straw before I incarnated into this life - to overcome the BEAST 666. You have surely read your bible and revelation? The Heavenly Powers sent a "hit squad" to bring down the Beast and some of them were/are in Her Majesty's Police Force. He's gone, chained. No need to be scared, just have FAITH in the power of prayer and angelic forces. What I am so disgusted about is that the government have shafted me on a promise of a lump sum payment upon completion of my "job". I am an UNPAID and now disabled Crown Sheriff, sickened and weary of this Alice in Wonderland system. I have been slagged off and short changed by the benefits system. And you lot regard me as the "underclass", because of the circumstance of ill health and the absence of a "proper" job. I am fed up of being treated with such disrespect.
Tigress 003 - licenced to get GOBBY.
 

no , your still mad please go away
 

I needed a couple of minutes to take this in. I really can't believe that a policy like this was ever thought of.

It begers belief.

If this was to happen to me or someone I know I'd be angry as hell especially as I pay your wages.

Time for a c-change in government me thinks. bring on the revolution.
 

A strange point arises after reading the comments.

Suppose someone escapes on a bike, does not wear a helmet and crashes, being severely injured. The police have not followed due to regulations and he lays for hours in some industrial estate late at night - so no-one is around.

He sues the police because if they had pursues him, they could have summoned medical aid.

Crazy comment?

If a taxi driving can win money from a family after killing their son in a road accident...
 

Not chasing criminals because they might fall off and sue the police?

Can I sue the police for not doing their job and catching the criminals?
 

Oh it'll get worse. The moment a burglar dies of a heart attack while being chased by police, foot pursuit will then be banned. Then of course there's the issue of the police officer's health: might he have a dodgy heart, might he be traumatised by the effort or by the criminal dying of a heart attack, has he got his knee pads on and his bottle of energy drink tucked into his belt etc.
 

saw you on GMTV this morning dave, and nearly choked on my cornflakes. until then i could have sworn you were a bobby from up here in middlesbrough (naming no names... jezza!). anyway, good work. your points were well made re the doctor and the very poor Met response to his burglarly. one minor gripe, i know you weren't having a go at the officers, just the system, but i worry this distinction will be lost on many.
to restate this for any public reading: 99% of all officers would love to hare round to your flat and catch the scum bang at it but they are too tied up with risk assessments, hanging on the phone to cps, trying to sort out appropriate
adults and briefs, trying to sort out schoolyard fights, separeating arguing couples and following up reports of nasty text messages.

but like i say dave, very good points well made...you must of had some training in handling the media!
 

Mad isnt it (the pursuit policy...or lack of it). We had two little scroats yesterday tear-arsing through an estate before we caught up to them. Got onto our local link to put up the chase, but as soon as MP got hold of it there was the inevitable question "are you chasing mopeds?" "yes" we say... a little pause before we get the "end the chase now" so we do... Officially.

We still followed the S**TS into another estate where one stacked it and ran off and was lost and the other disappeared. The mopeds... Pool bikes for a group of our local "Kids" (I say kids, but they are just young criminals for all i care)

Would love to have caught them, but as you all know, and its been argued to a fair point here, we are getting criticised for not doing our job by the public when we all know we try, but we get slapped back at every turn by those of a higher rank.

Phew.... got that off my chest
 

I find it sad that we have to worry about potential fall out from the Cops Prosecution Service (CPS) for just doing our job.

Its to do with them hurting themselves, because lets face it - when was the last time you heard a snivelling little sod cough his guts in an interview and state "fair enough copper - you got me - there were no circumstances or mitigation that I will try to use in order to get myslef off this little incident - no...you are right - i'm not even going to allege that your driving was dangerous whilst pursuing me...I am, indeed, bang to rights"

It is because we are scared of these little idiots getting injured but its also self preservation that we don't get ourselves in the muck.

I say if you are breaking the law and you get injured as a result then tough titty. Don't break the law. I certainly don't agree with us getting the shitty end of the stick when it does go wrong.

But, like always, we are damned if we do and damned if we don't. The IP is spitting because we can't or won't pursue and the Mother of the TWOCcer who is in hospital is making complaints left right and centre because her baby did nothing wrong or the police were "bang out of order".

Compensation culture. The trick is to work out whether the IP can sue us for more or the TWOCcer can...

I can't wait for the day I stand at the door of a criminal and say "I'd like to arrest you but I understand that it may put you out - no theres no need to complain - i'll give you another chance to turn up at your lesuire...no - really I insist you call me off duty - here's my personal number - i'll come right in to see you - Is that okay? Are you happy with how I haven't dealt with you?"

Why is it we are becoming scared to do our job? Where is the authority? How have we got to the stgae where 15 year old kids feel its acceptable to bottle the police on a Saturday nght?

ARRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGH!!
 

I agree with the majority of posters here in that I don't give a monkeys about the little scroat who nicks a moped - if he dies, it's his own fault. It's when an innocent member of the public or a police officer comes to grief as a result of the pursuit that I wonder about. If we don't chase and a MOP dies, their relatives blame us for not bothering and if we do chase and a MOP dies, we get blamed as well.

I don't know the answer to this...
 

I really dont know what you lot are worried about, I should be the one concerned after serving nearly 30yrs on the front line, why is TIGRESS 003 out to get me, posted at 6.33am, what on earth have I done.
And I was so looking forward to retirement.

PC GOBBY, Midwitch.
 

Isn't it time for another petition to dear old Tony Bliar?
One which seeks to restore the status of "Outlaw" whereby ANYONE choosing to break the Law forfeits ALL protection and rights under the Law.
Although Bliar would probably require a new Gnome Office department to process the requisite forms and notify each delinquent of their revised status, (subject to appeal of course).
It would be great, though, to hear the scroats bemoaning the demise of their "rights".
 

To Tigress 003.

Hey Freakshow!! Take your MADness somewhere else there are plenty of blogs/forums for you to comment on.

Actually go out into the street and start spouting that rubbish, then I can come and detain you under the MHA 136 and put you in a nice padded room!
 

Only trouble there is that he/she would be back out on the streets, under the 'care in the community' and then we would be back to completing misper forms, chasing around after said misper and not dealing with what we should be.
What goes around comes around LOL.

PC GOBBY, Midwitch
 

FOOT PURSUIT POLICY

1.1
DEFINITION
A foot pursuit is where appropriately trained officers in sensible foot wear run after a fleeing suspect with the intention of causing him or her to stop safely.

1.2
If it is in any way “slightly risky*” to engage in a foot pursuit and an officer makes the decision to commence a pursuit he or she must accept responsibility for their actions. The Chief Constable will not accept responsibility for anything and don’t say she didn’t tell you so because she did. If anything goes wrong during a foot pursuit and somebody get injured (especially the suspect) the chasing officer will incur disciplinary action, legal action, be breathalysed and suspended from foot patrol duties until it can be proven that the Chief Constable was in no way to blame.

*The meaning of slightly risky is open to interpretation and honest belief of the officer at the time of the foot pursuit. This decision, no matter how reasonable at the time will however court for nothing at a disciplinary hearing in retrospect and the benefit of hindsight.

1.3
If an officer does not commence a foot pursuit and at a later date is found that on a balance of probabilities it may have been safe to do so he/she will be found guilty of neglect of duty for failing to prevent or detect crime.

1.4
In the interest of safety control room staff have a responsibility to ensure that a foot pursuit is professionally managed and should instruct a pursuit to be abandoned if any of the following criteria apply.
1. The officer is a basic foot patrol officer and not qualified to chase pedestrians.
2. The officer is not a clearly marked police officer capable of performance at high speeds and equipped with fully operational bits.
3. The officer runs like a distressed giraffe.
4. The officer is not wearing his/her hat.

1.5
An abandoned or failed foot pursuit should still be subject of a debrief and form LOB 1 should be submitted to HQ Operations for recording, analysis and filing so that a Superintendent and six civilians can be kept in a job. The debrief is an important exercise which will not only reinforce foot pursuit policy and philosophy but will provide an ideal opportunity to send old and slow officers to the force surgeon to be compulsorily retired on medical grounds thus helping to save the desperate pension scheme and enable the recruitment of a couple of young, cheap probationary constable or one hundred special constables.

1.6
In the interests of professionalism under no circumstances will fat officers, inclined to sweat like a race horses knackers, engage in a foot pursuit.

1.7
For the benefit of traffic officers under no circumstances should a Stinger be used in a foot pursuit.

1.8
Remember it is far better to allow a criminal to escape and cause death or injury than to leave the Chief Constable open to legal action.

1.9
Nothing contained or omitted from this document shall protect any other officer in the event of any accident. This is merely a back covering exercise and of no benefit to any operational officers who will receive no support if the wheel comes off.
 

Wonder if he was wearing a helmet:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/oxfordshire/6312673.stm

...love the bit about him 'resigning'- probably with the business owner's boot up his arse!
 

Big Bruv - that post made me wet myslef - although scarily probably teue in a few years.

I can't see for the life of me how he managed to go that speed on that road...maybe he should join roads policing? He could "test out" the cars?

Gritted teeth of the South
 

The foot pursuit policy cracked me up, I just could not stop laughing, but no doubt somewhere in some force that policy is sitting in a draw ready to be put in routine orders.
1.6 is me down to a tee, but then I am near retirement and still working the streets.

PC GOBBY, Midwitch
 

Oh dear PC GOBBY it sounds like you have a touch of paranoia. You have not done anything that I know of petal. I'm not out to get you. Calm down Jesus loves you. And to whoever told me to "go away". HOW RUDE. This is a free country, or at least it used to be. This is a coppers blog and I am a special - unpaid, unappreciated and now even further abused by some ignorant bigoted TWOT! Go away yourself moron. Tigress. Peace and Love guys.
 

Jeeeez....my spelling is awful. Sorry guys. I am educated really.

Gritted teeth of the south
 

to general parts motor co.

that weird post. you know the one. it definately isnt me. just to clear that up.
 

Oh, I like the foot pursuit policy above. I'm going to get promoted and make sure its instigated in my force. It'd be great. We could add a bit about if not going as fast as you can as that may cause the pursuee to run faster than his fitness or abilities and cause him extra tiredness, for which the Chief would be liable. The force would have to cough up for a 'post-foot-pursuit sports drink on arrival in custody.

I should get promoted, I've obviously got what it takes, after all, I can take someone else's idea, tweak it VERY slightly, call it my own and bathe in the plaudits.
 

Love the foot pursuit policy - how long did that take to dream up? Brightened up my dreary day at work!
 

What this country badly needs are locally ELECTED chief constables who are prepared to put the interests of the local law abiding first and foremost
 

america - "freeze! or I will shoot"

england - "stop! or I will shout stop again"
 

Just my two penneth...This policy has been in effect in our force for some time. No helmet....no 'follow' (we aren' allowed to say pursuit anymore).
Oh, and another policy worth mentioning is, if a gun, fake or otherwise, hell, even a banana that looks like a gun, is seen, then police to to intervene or go anywhere near until firearms bobbies have deployed (some 20 minutes later) in the area after securing their briefing zone.
All boils down to, if you want the perfect escape from a bank robbery etc, escape on a motorbike without helmet and brandish 99p Squirt gun in the air = Freedom.

Scuba-Cop-UK
 

Nothing will change in the short term,'Hand wringing old women who run this country 7,Real Cops 0.
 

Sorry to mention this again, but I can barely conceal my glee with this latest news (I love it when *any* corrupt politicians get caught):

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6314881.stm

...net's closing in, it seems! Wonder what form the 'outraged' reaction will take this time? Or perhaps those that reacted last time will heed Lord Falconer's request to shutup...
 

Ok so i know there arent many of us out there, particularly not me, working in greenvilles, control room, but when you actually look at the screen you can see. WE HAVENT GOT ANYONE, so dont ask us to even consider sending an officer to do a silly thing like chase some one on stolen motorbike. Theres far much paperwork to do, which makes the politicians look like their ideas make sense.....
 

come to hampshire no police officers are allowed to exceed any speed limit, road signs traffic lights, if you are a criminal and break the speed limit jump lights then you will not be caught unless of course an area car or traffic car are behind you then you are fair game that is unoess you go to fast and the pursuit is stood down by someone sitting in an office 100 miles away
 

TO ANON @1.46Ppm who called me "freakshow". That kind of narrow minded and cynical attitude is precisely why you have not seen my face on TV or in the press. Oh yes and the last brave soul who did that in an attempt to "get you know who" ended up DEAD. God rest his soul. And as for going out on to the street to speak the truth - why bother casting my pearl before "swine", to quote the GOOD BOOK. So you can abuse your police power and FURTHER abuse a child victim of the most horrendous sexual abuse? Inflicted upon me by "the great and the good", untouchables because they were in positions of power and authority. I don't think so and besides, one has to be a danger to oneself or others. Clearly I am not, being SO pink and fluffy really, truth be told. Wasn't the guy who discovered that the earth was round called "Mad" or was that a heretic, or both. I would also like to point out that people have called Richard Brunstrom "Mad" for telling it like it is and doing his job. But if it makes YOU feel better to dismiss me as a nutter, well, BLESS.
 

Hello, God here. Unfortunately I have to agree you are mad. Stop spurting s**t.
 

Anon @801, no honestly, believe me, you really are mad. I promise. If not true you'll have placed a 14 foot salmon on my front lawn so I notice it when I go out in the morning. If not, you're talking bolloxxx.
Please go away, we're having fun.
 

TO dogeatsman - So am I. You do listen to the news, don't you?Tigress 003
 

Hmmmm....there are two possibilities here- either Tigress 003 is a certified loon or the rest of us are.
And to be honest, it's not really much of contest, is it?!

Be gone, Loon (Tigress 003)- we cast you out!

(Let's hope that works :)
 

while i'm not sure calling even an obviously insane person 'freakshow' is all that sympathetic or helpful, members of the public might like to reflect that the police actually do have to visit people like this, and take them seriously, or at least for as long as it takes to get them to where they need to be.

just another job the police shouldn't really be doing which means they can't do the one they should be.
 

Anyone got an exorcist's number?
 

She a bit scary that one (T.003)Shall we ignore her?

Benj
 

BACK TO THE TOPIC!!

Have a look at this I wonder if they have changed their pursuit policy since this footage was broadcast -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsfeWhpPjhE

Its a UK force trying to stop a male with a samurai sword.

I have this on my blog aswell as some other cracking footage.
 

"BACK TO THE TOPIC!!"

Topic? What topic was that? I've lost track...

Was it something to do with tankers (good plan)? Or, er, a "freakshow"? Or...

Anyway, I'm just happy to amuse myself with endless random rambling :) Just don't mention God!

BigBruv
(terminally bewildered)
 

Big Bruv,

I was trying to maintain the topic of pursuits but I also posted off topic with my tankers idea. There are some strange comments on this one its hard to keep track.
 

bigfella,

Good video, BTW...
 

Hello boys. Some of you really are very arrogant and ignorant. And as for providing a huge salmon on your lawn, really, methinks tis you who is barking mad. I don't need the local cops to visit me as this site is FAR better than Prozac and has given me many a good laugh. So now you've had a laugh at my expense. That's O.K, mother did warn me that "they" would say I was "mad"- because the truth is often stranger than fiction. Something that you arrogant testosterone fueled pi*s takers have FAILED to take on board is that I am a victim of serious crime who is as appalled by the fact that criminals have more rights than victims.Especially so when the wrong doer is "job" as you put it, or others in positions of power. And guess what boys, they have ALWAYS called the victim "mad". So my powers of detection can only conclude that you must be old mates with LUCI4. Have a nice day!
 

TO LOCAL DUDE at 10pm. Is that the "caring" face of the force? Cops have to visit and take me seriously do they? Well Dude, the only cop I will let through my door is the TOP COP of my local force; And ONLY if he has a HUGE cheque with him and a bunch of flowers to say sorry for all the crap I have had to endure. Oh yes, and by the way it's Ma'am, NOT "freakshow". Tigress 003
 

Love the video!!! I wonder how many Police Drivers TVP tried to stick on for that one!!! And did the two who 'accidentally' dropped the suspect over the fence get a Reg 9 notice for assault?
 

Bigfella,

Saw the video. Cautious response, I have had a lot of pursuits in my time & brought many to a safe conclusion. However I think I might have dealt with that one a teeny bit different. Just to add I am against, not, pursuing criminals & believe the best people to decide on the safety are those that are involved & have experience of driving in such situations. Unfortunately that clip shows how easy it is if you are not careful to get “sucked in” & make errors of judgement. I must also add that it is easier to criticise afterwards.
 

I'm not a driver but I am an operator on a reponse team. Time and again I've heard drivers say "There's point chasing mopeds, the yard'll stop the pursuit in a few minutes anyway".

It seems that since the incident in Islington where one fella got killed whilst leaving the scene of an armed robbery on a scooter the service has shied off chasing mopeds/bikes.

As I said I'm not a driver but just an oservation.
 

Likewise just seen the video, and although I can appreciate how they felt at the time, there appears to be a little red mist that has crept in. Been there and done it.
I know full well that had that been in my force the only commendation my chief would have given me is to pass this onto discipline.
Age and nearing my pension keeps that red mist well at bay, believe me, the big fat cheque at the end of the tunnel is a big incentive not to lose ones rag.

PC GOBBY, Midwitch
 

I'm more than a little disturbed by some of the sentiments expressed here. Do you lot enjoy scraping dead motorcyclists off the roadway, and then having to knock on some woman's door to tell her that her boy's been killed or badly injured coming off a motorcycle? And more to the point, could you live with the knowledge that in trying to get away from you, some stupid teenage kid with nothing better to do with his life lost control of his bike and killed himself?
They're all someone's son, guys. Even the crooks. God help you if you ever let yourselves forget that.
 

James, we enjoy none of that, and in an ideal world we wouldn't have to do it.

What we also don't enjoy, however, is having to shoulder the blame for someone else's stupid actions, or ill-thought-out choices. If you ran across a train line in front of an intercity would you blame the driver if you were hit? I didn't think so.

The real reason why Police get so much stick when these things happen is that the Police are an easy target, and no-one (often Senior Police Management included) has the guts to stand-up and say 'We are truly sorry that X or Y is dead, but you should blame the driver of the stolen car. He made all the choices. He chose to steal a car, he chose not to stop when required by the Police, and he chose the manner in which he drove.' No, they're all to eager to blame 'the system' instead.

Additionally, how can a Police officer be blamed for the style of driving of a person in another car. If you know a way to control the car in front of you on the road whilst you drive your own, please let me know.
 

I'm pleased we have your support that if you had your bike or vehicle stolen, you would understand why we didn't try and catch them and just allowed them to get away with it.

Now try convincing 97% of the British public that you are right.

These kids are breaking the law - since when were we there to sit idly by and let them crack on with it?

I'm a police woman (sorry...officer) and this is what I am paid to do. Its unfortunate when it goes wrong. There is a risk of this in nearly every part of our job. People take risks and don't think of the consequences...especially in pursuits. But since when did we give up doing what is right to accommodate them?

It'll start with this, then it'll move onto something else...for example instead of hitting someone with your baton because they are attacking you you'll have to retreat, because you might hurt them.

We follow people into the risks they take - if it all ends well we are heroes to that person that had their bike stolen...if it goes wrong who's fault is that? Us for upholding the law...or the critter on the bike for taking the risks in the first place?

And for TIGRESS - maybe you should try voicing any concerns you have to these senior officers you keep speaking of..really we are just plod and can't help you out with this.

Gritted teeth of the South
 

Granny,

I had to wonder whether you were doing a bit of moonlighting as Tigress 'whatever'...

Especially after what we'd discussed that day.

But, i considered that, even if you tried really really hard, you'd still struggle to get close to being THAT religiously extreme.

Have to ask why such a person would choose to post here - if only to try and get a rise from generally 'normal' officers and civilians. Haven't they got better things to do.

As for the Topic, i've already posted.

GeneralMotorsPartsCo
 

james, i've just followed the link to your blog, and i see that you have asperger's syndrome. i believe symptoms include a difficulty with empathy and with 'getting' jokes?
i think you may be taking a few posters a little too literally. no-one wants to see teenage kids crushed under lorries for stealing mopeds. however, they do want them to stop stealing mopeds and to take responsibility for what happens if they choose to do this and then lose control of the moped when they are (quite rightly) pursued by the police.
imagine how a police driver feels if he is blames for a 14-year-old's death in such circumstances and ask yourself if that is fair?
 

As a member of the public I see it this way. You choose to run, no one forces you. By running you've voided your rights and accepted that there will be consequences to your actions. It is UNACCEPTABLE that I as a MOP could be hurt by a scum bag's choice to run.

I do not choose to get hurt, the first I find out is when the biker hits me and leaves me sucking my dinner from a straw. Screw the biker's mum, what about my mum? She did a good job of raising me, why should she suffer?

Why should a cop who's trying to make their patch safe for me suffer?

The only person who should suffer is the one who CHOOSES to steal the bike or not stop. Short of having a pregnant woman in labour on the back and rushing to the hospital then there's no reason to stop, and I'm sure it's much quicker to use the cop car to get there anyway if that was an excuse.

So all in all I think chases are awful. They shouldn't even start. BUT that does not mean the scum bag should be allowed to run free. Knock the scum bag over, it's their choice. If the bike's damaged then who cares? It's not going back to the owner anyway - it'll be crashed, used as a runner or torched once the tank is empty. I don't want back a bike with shredded tires, smashed up panels and a caned engine. The scum bag can work in prison doing menial tasks until they've paid off the debt they owe me for a shiny new bike - that'd make them think twice.

The scum bag has no rights. I pay taxes, work hard, do not make others suffer for my joy and I honour the laws of this land and any other I may visit. I have rights. If someone steals from me I'll react to defend me and my property. If there are consequences then they're not on my shoulders. At the time of Tony Martin another man shot a burgular. He was just trying to discharge the shotgun so that the scumbag couldn't turn it on him. At the same time the scumbag ran towards him and lost both his knee caps as the gun was discharged. In truth we can rip the law off as we see fit, it's about time more law abiding people twisted the law back in their favour.
 

The most sense i've heard a menmber of public talk for a long time...

Gritted teeth of the south
 

A friend works in a southern town with a very tall coastal cliff nearby over which he fell a few yrs back while holding onto the collar of a would be suicide. They landed on a ledge 30ft below and got winched back up. Now he tells me that if he does this ever again he will be in direct breach of his Supt's instructions in a bulletin which states that no officer is to approach the edge or engage a suicide candidate in conversation. The coastguard have to be called out (like they are readily available at 4am) and trained negotiators called in. This is all in the name of health and safety...

My friend got several awards for his actions but it seems now he will just get punished for doing what he signed up to do, ie protecting people's life and property, which he assures me he will stil try to do. Maybe one of your leg mounted rappel bags should go out to him as a prize!

Who'd be a copper eh! Damned if you do and damned if you don't.
 

BigBruv - I used to work for Helphire (a plc, no less) and I can tell you that they are very protective of their rep so the garage monkey (my guess as to his position anyway for very few people have access to the key cupboard, especially to the prestige fleet which includes Astons and Ferraris too) will most likely have been invited to find alternative employment with extreme impoliteness.

Lazy Beeb journo - Helphire are NOT a leasing company.
 

TO GRITTED TEETH OF THE SOUTH.
Thanks for your courtesy, but I was not expecting or even looking for "help" from any of the bloggers. My case and complaint is known at the highest level and has been gagged by the home office and the P.M. [So far!] When one is undercover in the jungle, one uses whatever is available. This is a coppers blog which is read by the government and the media. Oh yes, and the WORLD. Thanks DC, you are a star and a saint. I'm neither "insane", nor a religious fanatic, who would probably have his/her own web site or blog. I don't "do religion" as such, much like the government, which has been their excuse for covering up the truth of this matter. What I "do" is "spirituality" and spiritual forces, upon which you can rely, unlike this government!
I chose this blog to bring some of the story out on the WORLD WIDE WEB because I am fed up of the cover up. Tony Blair refused to answer the question put to him in the house of commons. Draw your own conclusions. I hoped that perhaps a few of the many who do know the truth of my story, would leave a comment confirming that it is in fact true. Ever hopeful.

But what I really was surprised at, was the nastiness and insults of "mad" appearing on this blog. But then nothing really ever changes. A lot of men still believe themselves to be "superior" and think they know it all. What was God thinking of when SHE created them??? Tigress 003 - previous posts were a classic 003 TOURETTES moment triggered by male arrogance. That's my disability - I tell them to F**K OFF! Language learnt in early childhood I'm afraid, by being in the company of coppers! Neither Her Majesty nor the church would approve! 003
 

Its not only in the UK, now in Los Angeles County, California, the deputies have very strict guidelines for foot chases -
Raymond
Criminal justice
 

I don't own a bike, but if someone stole any possession of mine and ended up dying as a result of being pursued by the police, I would feel pretty bad about it; I dread to even imagine what the pursuing officer would go through.
And yes, I'm sure 97% of the population of this country would disagree, but I'm old-fashioned enough to think human life -no matter what bad choices its owner has made- is worth more than any material possession.
Even the worst of them is still some mother's son, guys. God help you if you lose sight of that.

PS: Anonymous, I'm perfectly capable of recognising humour. I'm good at spotting bad taste as well.
And if I was in that position -which if I succeed in joining up as a Special I may well be- you may rest assured that I'd save the board of inquiry a job with a length of rope and a sturdy light fixture.
 

james
thanks for responding.
taste's a very personal thing, and your opinions on it don't really matter.
as for your remarks suggesting you would commit suicide if you pursued a stolen bike and the driver died:
a) that's in pretty poor taste, i'd say (though that's by the by)
b) i think you just ruled yourself out from becoming a police officer
c) how would that help your own family?
d) why, anyway, would you do that? you were doing your job, someone died, it was their fault... not nice but it happens.
 

Tigress 003,

I think perhaps you should read through your own posts. As much as they might make sense to you, they don't appear to make sense to the rest of us.

Perhaps a more detailed explanation of what you're rambling on about might make a bit more sense.

I have to admit that I'm a little scared that you have stated that you're a Special. How do you get on when you're on duty? You seem very highly strung.

Everyone else,

I've followed a number of motorcycles/scooters with 1,2 or even 3 on board. Eventually I called the follow up and it was abandoned straight away. I followed orders and turned around and left them to it.

I don't have a problem with this, I'd love to catch the little bleeders, but it isn't worth risking my pension over if the gob it going the wrong way round an island and they get squashed by the number 32.

The bosses don't support me or my colleagues so why should I put my self in such a position that I could loose my job.
 

I am put in mind of events about 20 years ago: joyriders from the Meadow Well Estate had discovered air bags. They would steal cars and drive around, without a seat belt, and then, whether pursued or not, would deliberately crash into something (another car, a wall or whatever) and be saved by the airbag.

One young man's girlfriend was most impressed, so he took her for the same sort of ride.

Her side didn't have an airbag, or it didn't inflate, or somesuch...

Her family were brutal in their punishment of the boy for the death of their daughter.

He never stole another car.
He never committed another crime.
 

To Tigress 003 - you're clearly very angry about something but I don't think anybody here understands what you're on about (or why). Perhaps if you were a bit more specific??
Also, you seem to have a view that all the posters here other than you are testosterone-fuelled blokes. Beg to differ Ma'am.
DC - keep up the good work!
 

Is it me or are the lunatics taking over the site?.Personally a pair of underpants and two pencils usually do the trick!......where is Bladrick? and does he have the family brain cell today????
 

"d) why, anyway, would you do that? you were doing your job, someone died, it was their fault... not nice but it happens"

Been there, done that...messed me up for years and i'm still in counselling now. But i've come through it and I'm still a front line bobby.

Maybe this chap is right, James...if you can't be strong enough to deal with it when it all goes wrong then maybe this isn't the job for you.

Teeth Grinder of the South
 

[003] I'LL TRY TO CLARIFY - NOT EASY. If I have not been understood, perhaps you could take the time to read the posts again.
The basic FACTS are stated and with NO Bull Sh*t. I'm not particularly highly strung - just at the VERY end of my tether, fed up to the back teeth. DC made a comment that cops are sensitive. Yes, it's true.
I was a kid special and went undercover "in the jungle", where I just got on with life until it was time for me to complete my "mission". Done that, still waiting for the government to play fair and pay me the agreed dosh for the special job. Much anger over that, hence the gobbiness.
I don't go "on duty" and am not in uniform. I have provided a behind the scenes service, for example the idea for the Child Protection System and Crimestoppers were mine.
Hope that clarifies. I am also disabled by the illness M.E, which is an illness affecting the nervous, hormone and immune systems, plus bones and muscles. Unable to work in a "proper job" and beleive me being on benefits IS SH*TE. Tigress
 

well,i certainly think that clarified things.it did for me!
 

Perhaps I should clarify even further, as to why being on benefits is "sh*te". Especially to the kind soul in the benefits office who decided to leave me without any money to live on this week. I would prefer NOT to be dependant upon sick money. I would prefer my good health, thank you. I would prefer not to have to suffer the stinky attitude of people who begrudge the sick the financial assistance they do receive. There is a MYTH that being on benefits is a lifestyle choice and like living the life of riley. It isn't and I do not have a huge telly. I struggle to survive. I am however grateful that it exists and that the workhouse for the poor was abolished a long time ago. It is "sh*te" because some people seem to think they have a right to stick their noses into my private life. They make bigoted comments which are taken on board and used to judge one. The benefits system appears to treat people as "criminals", guilty regardless of innocence. This is against our Magna Carta Law. Sh*te or what? 003
 

What's all this working in the jungle stuff? It doesn't make sense?

On your other messages you make reference to being employed by the government to hunt down Satan as part of some angelic force.

Nuttier than squirrel poo, if you don't believe in that sort of tosh. I'm a Jedi.

Peace

Stinky
 

Blimey.

Having just read all that lot, all I can say is. This blog is getting weirder as it attracts more readers.

On pursuing parasites without helmets, I'll just say this. I personally have never bothered, (I'm sure you can all now see how it really is more than my job's worth) although I've seen a colleague going speeding past me to chase one little bugger, the little chav-baron sort of fell off it, picked the 'mini-moto' up, couldn't get it started, then ran off past me while I was still in the car approaching. Two things about that little episode were satisfying. First is that there wasn't time (nor any particular inclination) to get the control room involved. Second is the look of sheer terror on the little bastard's face as he ran past me, presumably thinking the cop that was pursuing him was a lunatic psycho-cop. I just hope it stays with him. In truth I think it was a half hearted attempt to catch him, but I don't think that plankton is so sure of the 'pursuit policy' one way or another anymore.

Having said that, I do personally agree with alot of the posts about life being more important than putting a scrote before the courts for an agg.twoc. However I think it couldn't hurt to lower the health and safety threshold just a little and let the 'chips fall where they may' during the initial phase of a pursuit, in the interest of common sense and public perception rather than fear of litigation.

Right, A quick green tea and then I'm off to work.

Stay safe all - 'job' or no 'job'
 

All of us daft police officers out there ought to pack our bags and all go home!
May be, hopefully, our sad little ultra democratic society will implode into a state of anarchy.
At which point we could all come back as hired vigilanties employed by the silent majority,to crack some helmetless criminal skulls!
What a vision of justice!
 

TO STINKY - You most certainly are!
No, I was not "working" for the government. My efforts have been for the greater good and for humanity. However, it is dim wits like you that really do make me wonder why I bothered. My guess is that it is YOU who works for the government - probably the taxman.

pink and fluffly tigress 003
 

Angry Rozzer: Scotland now have the same legislation as England and Wales...it isn't "live" yet but will be soon. Instead of "pursue no matter what" we are more "stand down, stand down, stand down!!!"

From
an 'unfortunate dispatcher'
 

Seems to me that they should not lose any rights per se other that those already in force (ie right to freedom after being arrested) however the legistation should be changed to reflect the fact that criminals should expect to be persued by the police and as a result anything that happens to them is their fault!
 

replying to the comments left about anon@6.33am.u cannot call some one mad just because they believe in things you do not you are cruel b******s and have a bit open-mindedness in what other people believe in!!
 

referring to the comment left by Iain MacBain - or maybe not!!?? : 9:26 AM about you paying peoples wages who are on benifits, does that mean that you think people who are brain damaged or paralyzed should be working??its the same with someone who is mentally ill.you may pay your taxes but so do they when they did or do get back to work.you never know you might end up getting hurt in your ambulance and need to go on benifits so back off you miserable g*t
 

Hello, the devil here. Just to say that I'm not to blame most of the problems the police suffer today. Sure I put those criminal ideas in peoples heads, but I am not to blame for the Human Rights Act or the "cease of pursuit" order. That was thought up by those even more evil than me.
I've got lots on my plate at the moment (you think Southern Sudan and Insurgencies just happen by chance?)
I'll take any press I can get, but even I have to draw the line somewhere.
 

To "The Great Beast" - laughed my head off at that one. God, SO funny! I can laugh you see because I KNOW that you are not who you claim to be, A bit of a cheeky "devil" maybe, but no way are you the "real deal". I can be sure of that, coz me and my mates KICKED HIS ASS and finished him off - two years ago. So don't you go tellin' no more fibs now you naughty boy!
Alice in fecking Wonderland
 

i love it when posts like this surface. It gives me chance to have a pop at my force and their ridiculous policy of not following people who either have no helmets on or remove them when on motorbikes, mopeds etc when being followed.
we have a huge robbery problem in the city where i am ashamed to say i police. These blaggards and villains come from the inner city crack houses and rocks from where they live, steal a moped and working in pairs they drive up and down 2 long roads that lead from the city into the 'North' parts of this fair city. They dont care how much force they use and im damn sure they are not risk assessing the dangers, and i know they dont fill in use of force forms when they drag an 80yr old down the street because she held onto her handbag, or when they have just kicked seven bells of poop out of the student who doesnt give in to their demands.
and what happens when the boys in blue arrive? the crack addicted, no use to society scumbags drive off and remove their helmets. This in turn forces the officers following to stop following. And to the complete and utter embarrsment of the officers ( i know i have been there) they have to return to the victim and many witnesses and explain to them why they didnt attempt to 'chase' the suspects. And then stand there whilst the witnesses and victim(s) get angry with the police. And i dont blame them if i am honest.
If these drug addicted scum bags choose to remove their helmets, or not wear them in the 1st place and they fall off, or collide with a car whilst being followed by officers then the fault should only be laid at the feet of the scum bag criminal..........
 

I can't go into detail due to ongoing cases, but as a member of the public being subjected to sustained to anti social behaviour which has lasted many years, since the Government has announced that no one is to be locked up, the activities of those causing us grief has escalated.

Now who says criminals aren't intelligent, and where does that leave frontline Police Officers trying to provide a service to victims of crime?
 

So, the new film coming out this month....Hot Fuzz, by the same team who brought us Shaun of the Dead.

Hands up all who're going to see it!!!!

http://workingtitlefilms.com/film.php?filmID=99

Me? I can't chuffing wait!
 

In response to some posters commenting on this thread that officers appear to be anti biker....I'm a biker. I am a law abiding biker, to be fair, but I was brought up to believe that "you do the crime, you do the time", and with it, you accept any risks associated with that.

WHEN oh WHEN will people start to take responsibility for their own actions?!

In Sheffield, not too long back, a motorbike was stolen, the rider (with no protective gear as far as I'm aware) lost control and killed a member of the public, slicing her leg off as he did it.

Now, sensible people of Britain....where's the justice in that? Either way, whether the thief was being chased by the authorities at the time or not, as a biker, I can honestly say ACCIDENTS HAPPEN, but if you KNOW you're in the wrong, and trying to evade capture, you're going to take risks, completely disregard the Road Traffic Act, and ride like a lunatic without consideration for anyone's safety, least of all your own.

WILL SOMEONE PLEASE GIVE THE POLICE A CHANCE TO ENFORCE THE LAWS OF THIS COUNTRY SO THEY MAY PROTECT THE INNOCENT, AND PRESENT THE CRIMINALS TO THE JUDICIARY SYSTEM FOR DUE PUNISHMENT?!
 

Djelibeybi, Hope I have spelt that correctly. Like the link for HOT FUZZ it looks a great film. As for the last comment, we do try and get our customers to court and into jail, but our own government is against us with spineless CPS/Judges and open/easy going prisons with PS2s and SKYTV for the cons!!! Trust me Ive seen in on visits.
When I look through the local court judgements and see:
1) Mr scumbag - assault police/theft/abusive behaviour - outcome - 6mths conditional discharge or £20-00 fine
THEN
2) Mr Joe Public Motorist - Excessive speed in 60mph and faulty light -
outcome - £400-00 in fines/costs and points.

What is going on? I would have to see what the speed was and the condition of the light etc but surely - Assault Police for a start and two other offences. The courts are taking the peace!!


http://bigfellainblue.blogspot.com/
 

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Well I guess that's me "ASBO'd"....
Anti Spilling [of more] Beans Order! DC, you removed the "Missing Persons" post.
I guess I will just have to be patient and wait for it all "to come out in the wash" - ITV news on "cover up".

John Yates's BIGGEST FAN
 

Slightly unconnected but an example of force paranoia. I was on route to deal with a Police accident when a motorist pulled out into my path on a roundabout . I slammed on and caught the front of his car. He came from my left and I obviously had right of way. My forces driver training dept have emailed me saying in their opinion the accident was blameworthy on my part and that I should inform my insurance company. I have since had this decision reversed but WHAT IS GOING ON I have had to prove my innocence despite the other driver admitting fault. Why do the bosses never stick up for us and always assume we are in the wrong.
 

WHAT IS GOING ON? [anon @2.12pm]
Our democratic system and Magna Carta Law have been undermined, if not virtually destroyed. This sort of bo****ks is going on in other systems too. They appear to be coming from the angle of "guilty until one is proved to be innocent". The tax and benefits system has always been like that, but the rot has spread to social services and has recently "infected" the medical profession. We live in a society which appears to be totally "ruled" by the "taxman" and money is the God. THAT is what is going on. As a child victim of serious abuse at the hands of "the great and the good", men of power and authority - I have had to wait 50 YEARS to PROVE that I was telling the truth. And guess what, they are still trying to pretend "it never happened". Alice in Wonderland mate, that's what is going on!

003 Kickassrebel
 

Personally if i was a cop i would have showed 2 fingers to the policy, captured the theives and arrested them. Ok they may sue me, but as this has hit the papers, so it would if I was sued because that would be such an outrage, and as we can see from so many people against the policy, if i appealed for each person backing me put a quid towards getting me a lawyer i would get the best lawyer in the world (or atleast kick-ass against the opposition unless they happen to be bill gates lol), win the law suit, and the thieving scum would achieve nothing (probably even pay me compensation) but bad publicity and a jail sentence - the way it should be. Not only that but it would prove to potential thieves that they too will not win, hence less crime of this nature. The police are their own worst enemies because even if the conspiracy that the police cannot be bothered to do it, (to find an excuse to not do it, unless they get bonus money for it) prevails, then they are allowing more petty crimes like this to occur and escalate, so they waste their time being called up for them and making safety checks rather than being free and on call for real kick-ass crime stopping which is what they were trained for!!!