The Policeman's Blog

Gosh am I the first? - All the best in Canada, Dave and Mrs Dave. Keep us posted on how it goes. Watch out for any mortuary tricks - don't go climbing in the drawers!
Regards, Tom R.
 

Funny while in the UK I kept thinking:

-they drive on the wrong side of the road
-good coffee is in short supply
-why can't I buy ice cream in proper containers...like a bucket?
-and is that all the vegetables you have? How is corn an "exotic" plant?

I guess it's all a matter of perspective.
Have an awesome time in Alberta! Bundle up though, I see on the Weather Network there's a clipper coming! (Not a very strong one though...you're in luck!)
Cheers from (relatively) sunny Ontario!
 

I believe "awesome" is an American export (or import from your current point of view). You may keep it. Please don't send it back. I am a bit surprised they use it, the Canadians periodically go on a tear about American cultural influence, which leads to some peculiar laws, but then they calm down again, and all is well. Thing is, once a Canadian entertainer/actor/whatever hits it big, he immediately gathers up all his "culture" and runs to the US.

We'll keep them, you keep "awesome."

Best wishes, and dress warmly, it is only going to get colder for awhile.
 

Welcome Dave (and Mrs. C)

Sitting a couple of hours east of you I must smile at Eric's comment. The cold hasn't even started. The weather this weekend was just *brisk*

Best of luck with EPS and I look forward to more comments on the differences as well as the similarities you see in policing this side of the ocean
 

Considering Alberta winters, you would have done better buying a 4-WD SUV or pickup truck.

Not meant to be critical, just an observation based on experience.

Do they use Crown Vics for the patrol cars there?
 

Well, there are great things about Alberta. One of which being that you can watch malefactors running away for three whole days at a time it's so flat.

Oh yes Dave, cross over to BC occasionally so you don't forget how to go round corners.

Best of luck to you and Mrs C.

Regards

Bill
 

Paradise Driver - Not only do we use Crown Vic's here in Alberta, but we don't even put snow tyres on them. We roll on the stock Ford issued rubber all year round.

It gets a little exciting sometimes with those tyres, 250 hp and rwd, but you really know exactly how much traction you have at all times.

Every winter, the first vehicles into the ditches are the 4x4 trucks and SUV's; they can accelerate so well in the snow and ice that you just don't know how slippery it is until you try to steer or brake.
 

Congratulations on finding the decent book Ken Follett ever wrote ... don't try any more on the basis of that, you'll only be disappointed ;)
 

I am originally from the other frozen north (Huddersfield) and lived for a spell in KIngston, Ontario, but now live in LA. I still get tea (bags) sent from the UK but after 20 years have pretty much accepted the rest. Look out for the square tyres when it get really cold!
 

A few years back in Florida the only teabags we could find were those ones on a string - Lipton's I think.
There were instructions on the box on how to "make tea how the English like it"

1.Place teabag in a cup of cold water.
2.Microwave at full power for 2 minutes.
3.Remove teabag.

....errmmm, never made it like that myself.
Teabag into cold water!!
Whatever next!!
Time to keep a stiff upper lip and marvel at the quaint ways of our distant cousins.
 

My daughter drives a Focus wagon, and loves it. I think you'll like it, too.

From what I've read, the weather, as someone said, isn't 'cold' there. Yet.

Glad you make your move with no big problems. That's a part of the world I wouldn't mind seeing.
 

Nice to see the move is going relatively well, Dave. Finding decent tea is a problem on this side of the Atlantic though. The solution is to have relatives bring it with them in significant quantities when they come to visit or else Tetley do sell something called "British Blend" here which is a passable substitute.

Do you miss watching real football on TV? If you do, check out these links where you can watch it for free via the wonders of the internet -

http://www.myp2p.eu/index.htm

http://livefooty.doctor-serv.com/

The quality isn't always great and the commentary is mostly always in Thai or Cantonese but it is better than nothing.
 

Does the entire country grind to a halt at the mere mention of half an inch of snowfall? Or is that just a British thing!!
 

Great stuff and welcome! We look forward to hearing the blog continue from Canada. Its a definate trend among British police -- and its great to swell the Canadian ranks with experienced officers. Good luck in Edmonton.
 

I am glad that your new life in a properly run police force is working out well. May all you deserve (and have definitely earned)come your way.

Good book, by the way, and no, the butler didn't do it (as there isn't a butler!)
 

Good luck Dave, I am insanely jealous of you, I spent a few days on the opposite side of Canada a month ago, (Quebec/Ottawa) and it looked lovely, unfortunately none of the Canadian forces employ Civvies as CSIs otherwise I wouldn't be far behind you.
 

hello dave, any chance of a few photo of the area?
all the best john
 

slightly off topic,
I have about 4 yrs in and put this to those who were policing prior to mobile phones being made so avaialable (especially to the workshy), was it bliss? I ask this as nearly every shi££y job that I attend involves a mobile phone in some way, either the dreaded theatening text message or the drunken complaint which you attend the following day where said person can't remember a thing.
I would assume that prior to these damned things that the workshy would have to actually move of the well worn argos sofa, turn off tv the size of football pitch and either walk to the Police station/ phone box which I would imagine that said workshy could not be bothered to do. The above coupled with NCRS, which I believe started when mobile phones became more affordable has in my opinion created an absolute policing nightmare.
If anyone could let me know, Cheers.
P.S. Dave I am insanely jealous, been looking at a transfer also, it looks like a completley different world!
 

just wanted to add my "good luck" words dave/stuart.
i was thinking now you are overseas im sure the regular readers of the blog would be willing to put together a "red cross" package of tea bags for you :-)
we could even deliver them to your new nick! a little piece of england in the station.
 

Good luck.
Please have a look at the last post on my blog.
Thanks.
ED
 

***WAS IT WORTH IT?***
Stu,
Once you have settled in to the Canadian police I think people would like to know: Was it really worth it? (For two reasons): Firstly, was the "coming out" on the documentary worth doing? I would suggest that it has done little good for your career in Canada and you will probably be branded as a trouble maker. Your colleagues will probably feel like you will inform on them and your senior officers will probably feel threatened by how able you are at attracting national public interest.
Secondly, and more simply, is the grass really greener in Canada?
I was disappointed when I found out that you were a copper who'd not long been out of probabtion. I thought from your blog that you were more experienced. The truth is you've probably done nothing useful for the British police in the long term by your documentary and you've probably "done your legs" in your police career no matter which country you choose to work in. With 13 yrs in the police I'm proud to be a British copper and I'm glad you've gone to Canada. We don't need disillusioned young in service coppers like you. You can only really make a difference to your organisation if you stay and take the rough with the smooth. No one said it would be easy (or did they?)
 

I used to have a Ford Focus, now I have a Toyota Matrix. Both are good little cars, and with all-weather tyres you don't need to worry about the weather as long as you drive to the conditions. I miss roundabouts. Edmonton only has about 5 'traffic circles'.

There is a Brit Store in the West Edmonton Mall, but everything is a little over priced. You can get McVities biscuits in most of the supermarkets, though. Yay for Ginger Nuts! I always bring back a job lot of tea with me every time I go to England. Oh, and the fruit and veg really does depend which supermarket you go to. A lot of variable quality depending on the neighbourhood.

The air is dry all year around, so get a humidifier in the house - especially for winter. The first few nosebleeds are amusing but it soon gets old.
 

Dave, I find the breakfast blend at Canadian superstore is the closest to real tea. I have a red cross package of Yorkshire t bags sent out once every few months. "It's its not from Yorkshire it's shite".
Ps this isn't the cold weather..this is the nice Fall weather..it'll come don't worry
 

This time around the comments are a hoot ... more entertaining than the post. You'll know you've been there too long when you learn how to spell "tires" properly.It's sort of like a Yankee moving to any state on the Gulf coast and just realized that they have said "fixin'" with a Boston accent or using (and spelling) "y'all" correctly.

Bob
 

anon 7-49
i think stu did 4+ years which at the frontline is actually quite long in service. i'm the senior officer on my team with just under three years! for what it's worth, everyone i know agrees with every word he said. the only people i know who don't agree are my inspector who's aiming for ch insp and tony mcnulty!
 

Are there any other UK Bobbies going to Canada or have been in Canada a while? I'm off to Calgary, Alberta next Spring/early summer. 8 years of UK policing has been more than enough.

Scuba-Cop-UK
 

(Warning: Rant coming!)


Hmmm...Meredydd Hughes- isn't he (and I believe that I speak for the entire nation here!), a total and utter tw*t.

I think he is the police officer that Paxo grills regularly on Newsnight - I seem to remember one memorable grilling not so long ago when Paxo questioned him on his seeming enthusiasm to rigorously enforce the road traffic laws with regard to the members of the public who had strayed an mph or two over the limit, while simultaneously and conveniently forgetting to prosecute police officers who went well over the limit (without good reason).

Hughes stated that it was not possible to prosecute when police officers who strayed over the limit in most cases because officers in the vehicles were 'unable' to identify who had been driving at the time!

One law for the public, and another (if Hughes had his way) for the police. The vast majority of officers would not agree with Hughes' apparent belief, I know...


Now, I understand that laws have
to be enforced. Sometimes laws have to be vigorously enforced. And sometimes, strictly in the line of duty, police officers have to break the law.

But what I cannot endure is self important idiots like Hughes whose main aim is to play politics and stomp on the public, while expecting their uniform to give them immunity.


And talking of politics, I think it's time for Sir Ian Blair to resign too. No doubt it was a difficult situation at Stockwell on the day of the Menezes incident, but for me, Blair is someone, like Hughes, plays politics too often and brings the police force into disrepute. I personally don't believe there is any place in our police force for officers like them.


Whatever their faults, I couldn't see people like Lord Stevens or Paul Condon getting themselves involved in politics like Blair has.


It's bad enough that we have to endure the stench of the politicians at Westminster without them infiltrating our police, and also recently security services - witness the director of MI5 clumsily issuing yet another doomsday warning the day before the Queen's speech which contained proposals for yet more draconian police-state like powers.


Frankly, while there are undoubtedly loads of front-line security services officers doing a great job, I think the directors of MI5 and MI6 should keep their noses out of politics and perhaps make an attempt to rebuild their credibility that utterly evaporated when they claimed that Saddam Hussein had the capability to fire WMDs at London with 45 mins notice. What a couple of utter comedians...

Senior police/security services officers and politics - definately not a good mix!


Whew - good to get that off my chest...
 

Good luck in the new home! I’m sure you’ll have an awesome time.

Just finished your book which I thought was great. Well done. I look forward to another one?
 

Look for Lipton's Yellow Label, think it's the closest to PG you'll get in sunny Canada!
 

Yes, I do love North America (though I haven't yet strayed into the frozen tundra called 'Canada'), and I have quite a number of very good American friends.

So, while I am an Americophile (?!), I do wonder at their predilection to supply all foodstuffs in buckets! Then when you a restaurant, you receive enough food on your plate to feed a family of four for several months.

Still, that's possibly better than in London, where you'll receive enough food on your plate to stave off hunger for at least the next five minutes. And you'll pay the equivalent of the GDP of a small African nation for the privilege.

But, DC, look on the bright side - at least in Canada you won't need a refrigerator to store all those 'buckets' - unless, that is, you want to heat whatever is in the bucket up!


BTW - I noticed that the German police recently triumphed in one of the world's premier sporting events ( http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7084494.stm ).

I was disappointed not to see any representatives from either the UK or Canada. Perhaps DC can represent Canada/UK next year?
 

I reckon you are on the right track leaving old blighty. I've heard many cops have also emigrated to New Zealand and are extremely happy too!
 

As someone who has been living in BC for the last fifteen years (where, as someone points out, we have corners) I have to tell you that:

a) You'll be making the same observation about industrial food sizes and irritating cliche-laden speech fifteen years from now and probably for the rest of your life. Possibly you will soon find it very irritating that check-out girls and waiters act as if they are long-lost friends rather than simply getting on with the job.

b) When you go back for a visit, however, it will strike you how vastly more cultured and cosmopolitan your home country is, yet poky and a bit short-sighted, and more than a bit unnecessarily bloody-minded at times. You'll welcome the edginess and the more spirited nature of public commentary, but you'll also start to wish that while they are efficiently ringing up your groceries the people doing it could at least smile and say hello.

Such is the fate of those who change countries as adults. In the end you hover halfway between the two, seeing the good in both, and no longer entirely at home anywhere.

Was an occasional reader of the UK policing blog and enjoyed (or was appropriately horrified by) every dip into it. (Found your interest in guns a bit alarming.) If you're not up for writing in the same way about the Edmonton force (although the comparisons would be fascinating) perhaps you can write about making the transition and of Canada from the outside, with a bit of something on the work differences thrown in?

With reference to what Eric said, above, the real story is that if you suggest any Canadian entertainer is famous, the most likely response from a Canadian is a deprecatory, "Only in Canada, eh?" But if they get recognition in London or New York suddenly they're big news in Canada. While the Australians have rightly gained self-confidence, the Canadians severely suffer from what used to be called the "cultural cringe".

Oh dear. I suppose I'd better make this anonymous.
 

Just remember your friends south (way south) of the border.

Also: email me your new address and we'll send you some Fortnum's Royal Blend.

Connie sends her love.
 

CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS. BET THEY DON'T DO THIS IN CANADA........ New crime-fighting measure comes to Buxton area.

Life-size cardboard police officers will soon be placed at businesses across the High Peak and Derbyshire Dales in a bid to deter shoplifters.

Derbyshire Constabulary has ordered ten cardboard cut-outs of Buxton beat officer PC Anna Gaskell, which will be sent out to Safer Neighbourhood teams in Glossop, Chapel-en-le-Frith, New Mills, Buxton, Matlock, Wirksworth, Ashbourne and Bakewell.

Safer Neighbourhood teams provide local areas with dedicated officers, police community support officers, special constables, local authority members and residents.

The teams will choose which shops in their area to offer a cardboard officer to.

Cardboard officers have already proved successful in deterring criminals in other parts of Derbyshire.

Shops in Ripley, Belper, Ilkeston, Alfreton and Heanor first introduced cut-outs of PC Bob Molloy, beat officer for Langley Mill, in 2005. We hope that, at a glance, thieves think the image is a real officer.

Cut-outs of PC Molloy have reduced the number of reported thefts from stores in Belper from an average of 36 a month, to just one in September.

It is hoped the cardboard PC Gaskell will have a similar impact in the High Peak and Derbyshire Dales.

The cut-outs for the High Peak and Derbyshire Dales have been produced as part of Operation Relentless, which began on Monday, October 1, focusing on reducing violent crime, anti-social behaviour, criminal damage, burglary and vehicle crime in Derbyshire.

Chief Superintendent Roger Flint said: "While these cardboard cut-outs can never replace proper officers, we believe they will act as a deterrent and that will free up my staff to deal with more serious crimes."

http://www.derbyshire.police.uk/news/509.html
 

Superb blog and contrats on your move to Alberta. I hope to be Calgary bound in the next 18 months, can't wait !!!
 

I'm a bit behind the times, but wanted to welcome you to Canada! I've just left the prairies for a more easterly locale, and I hope that you enjoy living there as much as I did.

Best of luck in your new and continuing career!