Great article! I was especially interested in your Solution #4 since I can relate. My agencies command HQ was located in the state capital, Springfield. So, you would often hear someone remark that "Springfield says." However, the rank & file had a different, common expression. So, when one copper would ask where another new stupid idea came from the other copper would knowingly reply with the correct common expression - "Disneyland!"
God forbid any “detective” does any detecting. Let’s just batter the mostly law abiding citizens who are fed up with being led by donkeys.
Personal rant time: qualifier - ex copper.
Son’s motorbike was stolen, reported, crime number issued, case closed. A week or so later and diligent grunt found 5 stolen bikes under a tarp in someone's front garden. Bike recovered, son charged £250 for the pleasure of storing said unrideable bike. Got a snotty letter because he couldn’t arrange a recovery vehicle quickly enough (he was a student).
Got an equally snotty letter to say there wasn’t enough evidence to warrant an investigation.
Perhaps he should have posted on X that the chief officer or the PCC was a useless twat. He might have some action then.
It’s a pity that the police no longer deal with lost property anymore, their are a number of important things missing in todays society. For instance; Chief officers have lost their authority to PCC’s and the Met equivalent, gnarly old station sergeants have been misplaced for some time and common sense has been lost in the mists of time!
Get rid of political interference and let Chief officers lead and decide the priorities…….
What a load of absolute bollocks! How do they justify the time to even write this down, never mind go and speak to the poor woman (and I don't often support Labour politicians in anything), when they won't nick shoplifters who terrorise small shopkeepers. It's not just the nut job in the White House that's lost the plot. Get a grip, someone! Thanks Dom, for highlighting, but you aren't doing my BP Any favours! 😁
Standing up in the face of a particularly daft order sometimes works. Back in the day an SB officer was ordered (on behalf of Box) to begin enquiries into a particular animal-related group on the basis that a couple of extremists were linked to it. She refused, pointing out that she was herself a longstanding member of that particular group, and it was as far from being a hotbed of extremism as you could get. The request was returned unfulfilled. Common sense works sometimes.
Hi Paul. One of the reasons I left the Job as a Dc was because I barrack-room lawyered my way out of a fair bit of stuff I considered stupid and / or pointless. It was exhausting though. Not to mention suboptimal for career development.
"You can’t have law a la carte. You can have discretion, though. This is subtly different and probably deserves an article of its own".
I would very much appreciate such an article - when you have time and are inclined, of course. Probably because I have never been anywhere near the sharp end so far, the distinction eludes me. For reasons described here:
"There's no way to rule innocent men. The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren't enough criminals, one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws. Who wants a nation of law-abiding citizens? What's there in that for anyone? But just pass the kind of laws that can neither be observed nor enforced nor objectively interpreted - and you create a nation of law-breakers - and then you cash in on guilt. Now that's the system, Mr. Rearden, and once you understand it, you'll be much easier to deal with".
- Ayn Rand, "Atlas Shrugged"
Surely when there are far too many laws, which on the face of them make the most innocent acts criminal offences, there is nothing left but discretion. As argued by the American lawyer Harvey Silverglate in his rather too sensationally-titled book "Three Felonies a Day", it has become almost impossible for an ordinary person even to know when he is committing a crime.
I knew a copper about 25 years ago who had retired because of the change in management approach and abandonment of local policing (he was a village cop who knew the local "villains" and could sort out a lot of problems by talking to the parents). He told me that everyone breaks the law everyday because there are so many laws and most people know hardly any of 'em. He could nab almost anyone if he wished - or if the higher ups wished - but a bit of friendly advice was often the best way to sort it. And don't go around looking for unimportant infractions. De minimis, I think.
Mickey Mouse's beloved wife goes shopping, and is arrested for petty theft. (Wrongly, needless to say). The magistrates dismiss her case instantly, because...
I fear someone in GMP at force or local level has decided a supervisor will attend to any sensitive NCHI allegation, hence a Sgt and another person visiting the lady. Hopefully the lady did not allow them access, even for a cup of tea.
"Personally, I see this as a civic duty rather than an infraction".
Exactly so! I couldn't agree more. "All that is needed for the triumph of evil...", etc. And there are more and more good people remaining silent these days.
I find myself wondering exactly what demented prompt you came up with to produce the College Of Policing image :-)
Great article! I was especially interested in your Solution #4 since I can relate. My agencies command HQ was located in the state capital, Springfield. So, you would often hear someone remark that "Springfield says." However, the rank & file had a different, common expression. So, when one copper would ask where another new stupid idea came from the other copper would knowingly reply with the correct common expression - "Disneyland!"
A simple “clear up” obvs.
God forbid any “detective” does any detecting. Let’s just batter the mostly law abiding citizens who are fed up with being led by donkeys.
Personal rant time: qualifier - ex copper.
Son’s motorbike was stolen, reported, crime number issued, case closed. A week or so later and diligent grunt found 5 stolen bikes under a tarp in someone's front garden. Bike recovered, son charged £250 for the pleasure of storing said unrideable bike. Got a snotty letter because he couldn’t arrange a recovery vehicle quickly enough (he was a student).
Got an equally snotty letter to say there wasn’t enough evidence to warrant an investigation.
Perhaps he should have posted on X that the chief officer or the PCC was a useless twat. He might have some action then.
Right, I’m off to calm down…
As always Dom - spot on.
It’s a pity that the police no longer deal with lost property anymore, their are a number of important things missing in todays society. For instance; Chief officers have lost their authority to PCC’s and the Met equivalent, gnarly old station sergeants have been misplaced for some time and common sense has been lost in the mists of time!
Get rid of political interference and let Chief officers lead and decide the priorities…….
Brilliant. Thank you Dom.
What a load of absolute bollocks! How do they justify the time to even write this down, never mind go and speak to the poor woman (and I don't often support Labour politicians in anything), when they won't nick shoplifters who terrorise small shopkeepers. It's not just the nut job in the White House that's lost the plot. Get a grip, someone! Thanks Dom, for highlighting, but you aren't doing my BP Any favours! 😁
"Accept, institutionally, the concept of ‘offence’ has been weaponised into spiteful, everyday lawfare".
It's unfortunate that the word "offence" now has two entirely separate meanings - which seem likely to merge.
1. Something that someone doesn't like.
2. A crime.
Standing up in the face of a particularly daft order sometimes works. Back in the day an SB officer was ordered (on behalf of Box) to begin enquiries into a particular animal-related group on the basis that a couple of extremists were linked to it. She refused, pointing out that she was herself a longstanding member of that particular group, and it was as far from being a hotbed of extremism as you could get. The request was returned unfulfilled. Common sense works sometimes.
Hi Paul. One of the reasons I left the Job as a Dc was because I barrack-room lawyered my way out of a fair bit of stuff I considered stupid and / or pointless. It was exhausting though. Not to mention suboptimal for career development.
"You can’t have law a la carte. You can have discretion, though. This is subtly different and probably deserves an article of its own".
I would very much appreciate such an article - when you have time and are inclined, of course. Probably because I have never been anywhere near the sharp end so far, the distinction eludes me. For reasons described here:
"There's no way to rule innocent men. The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren't enough criminals, one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws. Who wants a nation of law-abiding citizens? What's there in that for anyone? But just pass the kind of laws that can neither be observed nor enforced nor objectively interpreted - and you create a nation of law-breakers - and then you cash in on guilt. Now that's the system, Mr. Rearden, and once you understand it, you'll be much easier to deal with".
- Ayn Rand, "Atlas Shrugged"
Surely when there are far too many laws, which on the face of them make the most innocent acts criminal offences, there is nothing left but discretion. As argued by the American lawyer Harvey Silverglate in his rather too sensationally-titled book "Three Felonies a Day", it has become almost impossible for an ordinary person even to know when he is committing a crime.
I knew a copper about 25 years ago who had retired because of the change in management approach and abandonment of local policing (he was a village cop who knew the local "villains" and could sort out a lot of problems by talking to the parents). He told me that everyone breaks the law everyday because there are so many laws and most people know hardly any of 'em. He could nab almost anyone if he wished - or if the higher ups wished - but a bit of friendly advice was often the best way to sort it. And don't go around looking for unimportant infractions. De minimis, I think.
Great article. Thanks
"...the police can’t investigate your stolen car because there’s no named suspect".
Er, so... the police can't solve the crime because the victim didn't solve it for them?
Not to get too serious...
Mickey Mouse's beloved wife goes shopping, and is arrested for petty theft. (Wrongly, needless to say). The magistrates dismiss her case instantly, because...
"De Minnie Mouse non curat lex".
Good one again Dom.
I fear someone in GMP at force or local level has decided a supervisor will attend to any sensitive NCHI allegation, hence a Sgt and another person visiting the lady. Hopefully the lady did not allow them access, even for a cup of tea.
Sounds as if she wisely kept them outside. In this day and age of sophisticated forging, how could she know they were real police officers?
"Personally, I see this as a civic duty rather than an infraction".
Exactly so! I couldn't agree more. "All that is needed for the triumph of evil...", etc. And there are more and more good people remaining silent these days.