I see little political will to solve problems that cost money or involve criticism of official policies or senior officers. And you are starting to talk way too much sense.
The only chance will be a change of government and a real effort to redress the wrongs that have resulted in a workforce with way too many duds.
I was talking to a Met probationer the other day who is really enjoying his job and can’t wait for the makeweights to be ejected.
Come on Sir Mark, make it happen and become a worthwhile successor to Sir Robert.
And I wish other Chiefs were not jumping on the bandwagon of declaring their forces institutionally racist, especially when they have been promoted through so say being ACCs responsible for diversity. Why haven’t they sorted it out before instead of just demotivating their front line officers struggling to do their jobs fairly?
I could not agree more with this. I served in the Met from 1968 until 1998 and remember the corruption when I first joined. I believe that the appointment of Robert Mark and the Edmund Davis pay review went a long way to resolving a lot of the issues. Unfortunately it appears that history is repeating.
It's interesting how the Met is actually very happy to engage with external 'stakeholders' usually hostile to police, as part of a hair shirt strategy. However, they really, really don't like ex-police officers. Mainly because we tell them the things they don't want to hear from a position of experience. The only way the Met seems to want to leverage the experience of former officers is the hilarious advice to 'become a special' (i.e. police for free). No thanks.
Bravissimo. Should hire BJ Harrington - a copper’s copper or Nick Adderley. With all the genuflecting by the current crop of MB, I’m surprised knee pads aren’t standard issue.
As a serving police officer who did 24yrs on the streets then 3yrs on Neighbourhood.
II have assisted 3 officers with their promotion i.e. being used/action plan/misconduct
I said to my last Sgt I think I’ve another promotion in me (meaning if you need to discipline someone in order to get a promotion)!’
Response is like a bunch of Love island rejects and I call the girls tiny tears as when they are asked to do something they don’t like the waterworks start.
We have turned into mental health workers as it’s ‘care in the community’, taxi service for children who have decided that curfews/rules don’t apply to them and social workers who love to report a concern at 1600hrs on a Friday afternoon.
Thanks Susanna for taking the time to comment. Your story is far too common and one of the reasons why I write this Substack. People need to know these problems are real, and feedback from officers like you helps. I hope post-Job life is fantastic for you.
Good morning Dom, thank you for yet another terrific piece. I would like to promote your writing across my sizeable social media community on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. Can you please send the most suitable link that I can share to me via email - peterbleksley@msn.com. All the best, Peter
People like you, with lived experience that leaves you in an understandably cynical frame of mind, care about putting things right deep down.
What we resist persists.
When people leading change stop resisting cynicism - not only in ex officers but members of the public too - they see and hear wisdom they’re typically blind and deaf to. Wisdom that germinates the seeds of lasting solutions more often than not.
I see little political will to solve problems that cost money or involve criticism of official policies or senior officers. And you are starting to talk way too much sense.
The only chance will be a change of government and a real effort to redress the wrongs that have resulted in a workforce with way too many duds.
I was talking to a Met probationer the other day who is really enjoying his job and can’t wait for the makeweights to be ejected.
Come on Sir Mark, make it happen and become a worthwhile successor to Sir Robert.
And I wish other Chiefs were not jumping on the bandwagon of declaring their forces institutionally racist, especially when they have been promoted through so say being ACCs responsible for diversity. Why haven’t they sorted it out before instead of just demotivating their front line officers struggling to do their jobs fairly?
I could not agree more with this. I served in the Met from 1968 until 1998 and remember the corruption when I first joined. I believe that the appointment of Robert Mark and the Edmund Davis pay review went a long way to resolving a lot of the issues. Unfortunately it appears that history is repeating.
Thanks Peter, I hope retirement suits you, sir.
I have never served with the Met but I agree wholeheartedly with this.
The quality of staff needs to be improved asap, better pay and conditions and an effective vetting system would be a good start.
Cheers Tim. I think some of the points are universal, really, and apply to other forces too.
Absolutely!
I wish those working on reforming the MPS would give you a “consultancy gig.”
It's interesting how the Met is actually very happy to engage with external 'stakeholders' usually hostile to police, as part of a hair shirt strategy. However, they really, really don't like ex-police officers. Mainly because we tell them the things they don't want to hear from a position of experience. The only way the Met seems to want to leverage the experience of former officers is the hilarious advice to 'become a special' (i.e. police for free). No thanks.
As always mate too close to the reality for the “grown ups” to understand!
Bravissimo. Should hire BJ Harrington - a copper’s copper or Nick Adderley. With all the genuflecting by the current crop of MB, I’m surprised knee pads aren’t standard issue.
As a serving police officer who did 24yrs on the streets then 3yrs on Neighbourhood.
II have assisted 3 officers with their promotion i.e. being used/action plan/misconduct
I said to my last Sgt I think I’ve another promotion in me (meaning if you need to discipline someone in order to get a promotion)!’
Response is like a bunch of Love island rejects and I call the girls tiny tears as when they are asked to do something they don’t like the waterworks start.
We have turned into mental health workers as it’s ‘care in the community’, taxi service for children who have decided that curfews/rules don’t apply to them and social workers who love to report a concern at 1600hrs on a Friday afternoon.
#the thin blue line is real.
Thanks Susanna for taking the time to comment. Your story is far too common and one of the reasons why I write this Substack. People need to know these problems are real, and feedback from officers like you helps. I hope post-Job life is fantastic for you.
Good morning Dom, thank you for yet another terrific piece. I would like to promote your writing across my sizeable social media community on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. Can you please send the most suitable link that I can share to me via email - peterbleksley@msn.com. All the best, Peter
They’re missing out.
People like you, with lived experience that leaves you in an understandably cynical frame of mind, care about putting things right deep down.
What we resist persists.
When people leading change stop resisting cynicism - not only in ex officers but members of the public too - they see and hear wisdom they’re typically blind and deaf to. Wisdom that germinates the seeds of lasting solutions more often than not.