Tracker - Police won't do anything.

Originally Posted by -Ralph-

Regardless of the context of the news story, "its insured, not the end of the world" isnt good enough. Annual appraisal = must try harder. I am paid to do a job and I take pride in doing that job and strive to do it to the best of my ability. If my customers are not delivered what I promise, they get a big fat service penalty cheque, but wouldnt be accepted for employees to say "well theyll get financially compensated so its not the end of the world"

Sorry, just my opinion and I'm just being honest with you.

Are you suggesting that I don't take pride in my job, and don't do it to the best of my abilities? I don't comment on your ability to do your job, yet you're happy to comment on mine? Oh yes, I forgot, you're a tax payer so that gives you divine right.

Actually, my comments were more meant along the lines of 'at least not all is lost' rather than everyone leaping to the conlusion that I - and by perverse extension - the police always think like that.

Frankly, my crime files and investigations are audited to the hilt. If I've not done something that the auditors think I should have done, then it gets flagged up. I'll even go out and look for crime when its not reported - some chap came in last week reporting that he'd lost his phone somewhere the night before, not that he'd had it stolen. A few enquiries today and I've found it in a local pawn shop, returned it, and charged another thief. If I didn't give a **** I wouldn't have bothered, just filed it as another loss and forgotten about it.

If theres a chance of getting a stolen vehicle back, I'll do everything I can. I may even bend some rules in order to do so, or call in a few favours depending on what I can get away with, but there's always a line we have to stop at. Breaking into numerous garages without authority is a sure fire way of ending up having to go to the bosses office with a phonebook down your trousers.

Originally Posted by metalmonkey

OK kool I tell you what lets say your house gets broke into they steal pretty much everything, including your dog, your bike ect. Hey don't worry about it, at least you have insurance right? Who cares!

Yeah, at least I have insurance! It would be awful that happening and not being insured!

Originally Posted by Sid Squid

That's helpful. The message I've got from reading this thread is that people would just like the Police to show up when they're called and maybe do something useful like reuniting people with their property if it wouldn't be too much trouble - and in the circumstance described by the OP it seems it wouldn't be too much trouble.

Now, I wonder why it is that public confidence in the Police is at an all time low?

If we were to show up every time someone picked up the phone, then we would need a lot more officers! As it stands, we've got to prioritise. Half the trouble is that most people don't understand what the job of a modern Police officer is, and a lot of unrealistic expectation of what we can and will do. It's one of the things that irritate me when I speak to people say "I never see a bobby on the beat any more". I'd love to wander the streets all day, speaking to people and reassuring them, but we just can't.

I'm not happy about that, its just a fact. If you don't like it, petition the government to up the budgets, or become a Special Constable.

Now, I must go and spend my entire Friday night, guarding, watching and patrolling the community of my local ungrateful wage payers. Strange thing is, I'm looking forward to it.

Originally Posted by Nelson

Are you suggesting that I don't take pride in my job, and don't do it to the best of my abilities? I don't comment on your ability to do your job, yet you're happy to comment on mine? Oh yes, I forgot, you're a tax payer so that gives you divine right.

If you want to read it that way it's up to you. The reason you haven't posted on my job is because we are not talking about my job, and I haven't posted my approach to mine. What I wrote was what I wrote, go back and read it again, taking it at face value, if you want to know what I meant by it. Either way, put your toys back in the pram.

Originally Posted by Nelson

Armchair policemen

Police bashing

Oh yes, I forgot, you're a tax payer so that gives you divine right.

my local ungrateful wage payers.

Strange thing is, I'm looking forward to it.

Yes, strange to anyone reading this thread that your looking forward to it, because so far the only way you have come across so far is as bitter and twisted. If you want to take all the sarcasm out of it and discuss it like an adult as every other policeman in the thread has managed to do, I'm sure the rest of us will be more than happy to engage in debate.

[Sid Squid]

Originally Posted by Red Herring

it could be to much trouble, and it would be wrong if that wasn't taken into account.

And I suspect that this is from where the dissatisfaction stems. Specifically what you feel, and what we feel is 'too much' trouble is very likely rather different.

I fully appreciate that there are only so many hours in the day, and I further understand that there are only so many personnel, but if police work no longer includes retrieving stolen property where it would seem that there is already evidence that would assist its finding, which may also discover evidence to establish who the the guilty party is, which may find other items of stolen property as well, and would establish to the criminal fraternity that their crimes will not go uninvestigated, plus perhaps stopping this particular piece of criminality being profitable which is essentially what leads to much of the problem, then I'm sure that there is an explanantion that I as a slightly educated adult could folllow, that will inform why and how police time is being more importantly employed elsewhere, because from my uninformed position I reckon the above described is worth the trouble, well worth it.

If that's not the case then why is there not time for an investigation? If it is the case then if nothing else we as the public deserve that explanation, if we don't have the police force which is capable for reasons of staffing or otherwise of performing such functions, why are we forever being told that we shouldn't take police matters into out own hands? Is truly nothing to be done, nothing at all? The thieves win on a bye because the opposition don't even show up?

If that's the case we're well overdue an explanation.

[yorkie_chris]

Originally Posted by Sid Squid

why are we forever being told that we shouldn't take police matters into out own hands?

You clearly should, and the police should sod off and leave you alone when you do... accepting that they wouldn't have the manpower to do it themselves.


If it was me, I suppose I'd get my mate the locksmith to crack the garages open for me and hope any plod would be too busy checking on some fat slappers facebook to bother me in the process. No damage done.

Originally Posted by -Ralph-

If you want to read it that way it's up to you. The reason you haven't posted on my job is because we are not talking about my job, and I haven't posted my approach to mine. What I wrote was what I wrote, go back and read it again, taking it at face value, if you want to know what I meant by it. Either way, put your toys back in the pram.

Yes, strange to anyone reading this thread that your looking forward to it, because so far the only way you have come across so far is as bitter and twisted. If you want to take all the sarcasm out of it and discuss it like an adult as every other policeman in the thread has managed to do, I'm sure the rest of us will be more than happy to engage in debate.

My toys aren't out the pram, merely posted with a raised eyebrow. And you can't beat a smart-arsed comment at the end of a post for extra impact.

I've reread your post and I can't take it any other way than how I read it in the first place. According to what I read, you did post your approach to yours, unless I'm confused about your use of "I am paid to do a job and I take pride in doing that job and strive to do it to the best of my ability."

Makes no odds at the end of the day what you think of me - if you call when I'm on duty, I'll still come and do the best I can, however much that may be.

Originally Posted by Sid Squid

And I suspect that this is from where the dissatisfaction stems. Specifically what you feel, and what we feel is 'too much' trouble is very likely rather different.

I fully appreciate that there are only so many hours in the day, and I further understand that there are only so many personnel, but if police work no longer includes retrieving stolen property where it would seem that there is already evidence that would assist its finding, which may also discover evidence to establish who the the guilty party is, which may find other items of stolen property as well, and would establish to the criminal fraternity that their crimes will not go uninvestigated, plus perhaps stopping this particular piece of criminality being profitable which is essentially what leads to much of the problem, then I'm sure that there is an explanantion that I as a slightly educated adult could folllow, that will inform why and how police time is being more importantly employed elsewhere, because from my uninformed position I reckon the above described is worth the trouble, well worth it.

If that's not the case then why is there not time for an investigation? If it is the case then if nothing else we as the public deserve that explanation, if we don't have the police force which is capable for reasons of staffing or otherwise of performing such functions, why are we forever being told that we shouldn't take police matters into out own hands? Is truly nothing to be done, nothing at all? The thieves win on a bye because the opposition don't even show up?

If that's the case we're well overdue an explanation.

It seems there were some mistakes made in this particular case, and I hope now that they've been brought to light that the case has been revisited. Sometimes it takes a bit of prodding but we usually get there in the end. Perhaps the guy even has his bike back! We're unlikely to find out though as good work by the Police is hardly ever published in the press.

You're right, you probably are due an explanation, as are we. I imagine that will only come from the Government though, who are unlikely to stop preaching the "we're doing better than the last lot" party line.

Want an example of one of my recent early shifts?

Started the shift with an Acting Sergeant plus 7 PC's. Our sergeant is covering the custody Sergeants position because he's off and they won't pay overtime for a replacement. A fairly serious assault had occurred at about midnight the night before in one of our towns, resulting in two properties having to have a scene guard front and rear. This is a result of Scenes of crime officers being reduced to one car to cover the force, and wouldn't be available for some hours. That took away the APS and 4 officers, leaving 3 officers and a Police traffic warden to cover 3 reasonable sized towns and an area of at least 700sq miles.

Due to the Scottish need for corroboration for pretty much everything, that leaves one effective unit, and one semi-effective one to cover the entire area. Unfortunately there's no money to get other officers out on double time, so we just have to make do, sorting out what we can by phone, or making arrangements to come another day. Is it a poor service? Of course it is, but you can only p*ss with the c*ck you've got.

The crimes will get investigated in due course, but with every delay opportunities are lost, and its frustrating for both the officers and the victims.

I dare say every officer in the country can recount similar stories.

When Constabulary duties to be done, a Policemans lot is not a happy one...

[Red Herring]

Originally Posted by Sid Squid

..... because from my uninformed position I reckon the above described is worth the trouble, well worth it..........


.....If that's the case we're well overdue an explanation.

Uninformed position?

You have actually read the previous nine pages haven't you?

[Biker Biggles]

Originally Posted by Nelson

My toys aren't out the pram, merely posted with a raised eyebrow. And you can't beat a smart-arsed comment at the end of a post for extra impact.

I've reread your post and I can't take it any other way than how I read it in the first place. According to what I read, you did post your approach to yours, unless I'm confused about your use of "I am paid to do a job and I take pride in doing that job and strive to do it to the best of my ability."

Makes no odds at the end of the day what you think of me - if you call when I'm on duty, I'll still come and do the best I can, however much that may be.




It seems there were some mistakes made in this particular case, and I hope now that they've been brought to light that the case has been revisited. Sometimes it takes a bit of prodding but we usually get there in the end. Perhaps the guy even has his bike back! We're unlikely to find out though as good work by the Police is hardly ever published in the press.

You're right, you probably are due an explanation, as are we. I imagine that will only come from the Government though, who are unlikely to stop preaching the "we're doing better than the last lot" party line.

Want an example of one of my recent early shifts?

Started the shift with an Acting Sergeant plus 7 PC's. Our sergeant is covering the custody Sergeants position because he's off and they won't pay overtime for a replacement. A fairly serious assault had occurred at about midnight the night before in one of our towns, resulting in two properties having to have a scene guard front and rear. This is a result of Scenes of crime officers being reduced to one car to cover the force, and wouldn't be available for some hours. That took away the APS and 4 officers, leaving 3 officers and a Police traffic warden to cover 3 reasonable sized towns and an area of at least 700sq miles.

Due to the Scottish need for corroboration for pretty much everything, that leaves one effective unit, and one semi-effective one to cover the entire area. Unfortunately there's no money to get other officers out on double time, so we just have to make do, sorting out what we can by phone, or making arrangements to come another day. Is it a poor service? Of course it is, but you can only p*ss with the c*ck you've got.

The crimes will get investigated in due course, but with every delay opportunities are lost, and its frustrating for both the officers and the victims.

I dare say every officer in the country can recount similar stories.

When Constabulary duties to be done, a Policemans lot is not a happy one...

That sounds rather like "police bashing" to meSee---we all do it.Even you

I wished I got paid double time for working over my contracted hours.
In fact, I wish I got PAID AT ALL for working longer than I should do, but I don't.

[Bluepete]

Originally Posted by Reeder

I wished I got paid double time for working over my contracted hours.
In fact, I wish I got PAID AT ALL for working longer than I should do, but I don't.

Neither do I.

Stick to what is true instead of throwing comments like that out.

Originally Posted by Nelson

Started the shift with an Acting Sergeant plus 7 PC's. Our sergeant is covering the custody Sergeants position because he's off and they won't pay overtime for a replacement. A fairly serious assault had occurred at about midnight the night before in one of our towns, resulting in two properties having to have a scene guard front and rear. This is a result of Scenes of crime officers being reduced to one car to cover the force, and wouldn't be available for some hours. That took away the APS and 4 officers, leaving 3 officers and a Police traffic warden to cover 3 reasonable sized towns and an area of at least 700sq miles.

Due to the Scottish need for corroboration for pretty much everything, that leaves one effective unit, and one semi-effective one to cover the entire area. Unfortunately there's no money to get other officers out on double time, so we just have to make do, sorting out what we can by phone, or making arrangements to come another day.

Er Pete, correct me if I am wrong but is he not saying that to have extra officers they would be out on double time?