Prior to joining the police I spent 3 years growing up in the Army. I got much more from the military than they got from me. Smartness, order and a disciplined organisation worked wonders on an immature juvenile that was me. I also loved the SLR but let’s not get sidetracked!
When I joined the police service the change was far less traumatic than it was for my civilian colleagues. An ability to wear a uniform and look after it helped avoid the attention of training and section sergeants. It also made for a professional approach to policing. Most of our ‘customers’ appreciated and respected the police, an imposing uniform helped this. Those that didn’t soon learnt why the Police Force was so called.
The slow transition from smart uniform and helmet, a wooden truncheon together with a PNB and a HORT 1 pad to utility belts (awful!), vests, blacks, extendable batton, taser etc were all justified by the changes in society and the need to protect our officers. However, the uniform changes coupled with the decline in patrols on the streets have helped isolate the police from their customers, the public…. It will take a concerted effort to improve confidence in the police, being accessible and identifiable as police officer’s will help. An increase in police numbers, better terms of service and a separation between politics and the police (goodbye PCC’s) can’t come soon enough.
Yes, any sort of military training is a solid foundation for joining the Job I think in terms of personal admin (in a way a degree definitely isn't). As for kit, I think stab vests were introduced far too late, personally. And talking to younger officers, I'm pretty much convinced Taser is broadly speaking a good thing. How you square the PPE / H&S aspect of police kit with smartness, though, baffles me. Especially in times of austerity. Edit - yes, the black uniforms were more of a county thing than Met. They looked like bloody panzer commanders to me. The Met has the shittiest uniform and kit because they have to buy so much of it. Economics suggests that should mean we get a better deal but solid economics and public sector procurement are obviously oil and water concepts.
Yep, I had the 'tit' on my helmet flattened within days of moving from Street Duties onto A Relief at Acton in '86. Stopped it falling over when I put it down though! Some of us bought nylon webbing 'utility belts' to house some of the kit we were issued. Bosses said we shouldn't as apparently they melted at 200 degrees Celsius and were therefore dangerous. If we're exposed to temps in excess of 200 degrees who gives a flying f**k about our kit melting?!?!
Best nick in the Met during the late 80s/early 90s. All sides of society there from politicians, to rock stars, to actors, to rich people, poor people, gangsters, street robbers, working class, middle class and the occasional upper class. We even had the original Sunshine Desserts from The Fall, and Rise of Reginald Perrin!
I remember the excitement of being easily identified as the senior intake at Hendon by our brand new Quick Cuffs.
There’s still a Police Box in Piccadilly Circus, and there used to be one outside what was the US Embassy in Grosvenor Square.
We had to march everywhere as a squad/class: last time I was there couples were wandering around hand in hand like it was a fourth rate poly (actually ...).
And don’t forget the dry cleaning/charity badge/show parade for poor kit admin scandal 😱😱😱
Another belter, Dom, well done. So much to talk about, but the thing that particularly resonates is the police reflecting society. At the risk of sounding like my father (no bad thing, as it turns out), I am appalled at the sheer scruffiness of my fellow British. A close male family member has one suit, black M&S, which I have seen him in once, when I took him for lunch to see my accountant at the SFC. Mind officially blown! Usual garb for going out for a meal is a pair of grubby jeans and a crumpled sweat shirt. I don't suggest evening dress for the sausage and mash, but surely chinos, button down shirt and tidy jacket as a mimum when eating out? I know, each to their own, I just hate it. Loads more to say, but I have to dress for dinner...
The police reflecting society thing was the thrust of the article. Interestingly, reading some discussion of the article, people seem to think it's more or less about uniform per se, not its wider significance. OTOH, I write fairly long articles and some people might comment without reading until the end.
In comparison with the average length of Facebook comments your articles are long, however I do read and enjoy your humorous and accurate analysis. As far as detectives go, they too have suffered but probably less visibly (see what I did there😂). My stepson is a detective and highlights their issues. A lack of interest in doing what is seen as a difficult job by most potential uniform candidates has resulted in a direct entry scheme. Now it could be argued that fresh, untainted blood will help breakdown the old CID culture but detectives without any appreciation of policing the streets seems plain stupid. Perhaps I’m being old fashioned this seems to be another way to reduce the status of the policing to that of the civil service.
In summary it’s the whole policing service that is being undermined and therefore underfunded. Or am I missing the point?
Excellent piece Dominic. Your observations and subsequent assessment as to where the Old Bill are now is spot on. Thank you. I thoroughly enjoyed the post. Look forward to future offerings very much.
Prior to joining the police I spent 3 years growing up in the Army. I got much more from the military than they got from me. Smartness, order and a disciplined organisation worked wonders on an immature juvenile that was me. I also loved the SLR but let’s not get sidetracked!
When I joined the police service the change was far less traumatic than it was for my civilian colleagues. An ability to wear a uniform and look after it helped avoid the attention of training and section sergeants. It also made for a professional approach to policing. Most of our ‘customers’ appreciated and respected the police, an imposing uniform helped this. Those that didn’t soon learnt why the Police Force was so called.
The slow transition from smart uniform and helmet, a wooden truncheon together with a PNB and a HORT 1 pad to utility belts (awful!), vests, blacks, extendable batton, taser etc were all justified by the changes in society and the need to protect our officers. However, the uniform changes coupled with the decline in patrols on the streets have helped isolate the police from their customers, the public…. It will take a concerted effort to improve confidence in the police, being accessible and identifiable as police officer’s will help. An increase in police numbers, better terms of service and a separation between politics and the police (goodbye PCC’s) can’t come soon enough.
Yes, any sort of military training is a solid foundation for joining the Job I think in terms of personal admin (in a way a degree definitely isn't). As for kit, I think stab vests were introduced far too late, personally. And talking to younger officers, I'm pretty much convinced Taser is broadly speaking a good thing. How you square the PPE / H&S aspect of police kit with smartness, though, baffles me. Especially in times of austerity. Edit - yes, the black uniforms were more of a county thing than Met. They looked like bloody panzer commanders to me. The Met has the shittiest uniform and kit because they have to buy so much of it. Economics suggests that should mean we get a better deal but solid economics and public sector procurement are obviously oil and water concepts.
Yep, I had the 'tit' on my helmet flattened within days of moving from Street Duties onto A Relief at Acton in '86. Stopped it falling over when I put it down though! Some of us bought nylon webbing 'utility belts' to house some of the kit we were issued. Bosses said we shouldn't as apparently they melted at 200 degrees Celsius and were therefore dangerous. If we're exposed to temps in excess of 200 degrees who gives a flying f**k about our kit melting?!?!
Acton - a pirate ship of a police station. Allegedly. I spent many nights cruising 'Fury Road' (the Uxbridge Road and A40) looking for villains.
Best nick in the Met during the late 80s/early 90s. All sides of society there from politicians, to rock stars, to actors, to rich people, poor people, gangsters, street robbers, working class, middle class and the occasional upper class. We even had the original Sunshine Desserts from The Fall, and Rise of Reginald Perrin!
I remember the excitement of being easily identified as the senior intake at Hendon by our brand new Quick Cuffs.
There’s still a Police Box in Piccadilly Circus, and there used to be one outside what was the US Embassy in Grosvenor Square.
We had to march everywhere as a squad/class: last time I was there couples were wandering around hand in hand like it was a fourth rate poly (actually ...).
And don’t forget the dry cleaning/charity badge/show parade for poor kit admin scandal 😱😱😱
There were no police boxes outside of the sordid confines of 8 Area. Although maybe the one in Earls Court (6 Area) was still operational.
Another belter, Dom, well done. So much to talk about, but the thing that particularly resonates is the police reflecting society. At the risk of sounding like my father (no bad thing, as it turns out), I am appalled at the sheer scruffiness of my fellow British. A close male family member has one suit, black M&S, which I have seen him in once, when I took him for lunch to see my accountant at the SFC. Mind officially blown! Usual garb for going out for a meal is a pair of grubby jeans and a crumpled sweat shirt. I don't suggest evening dress for the sausage and mash, but surely chinos, button down shirt and tidy jacket as a mimum when eating out? I know, each to their own, I just hate it. Loads more to say, but I have to dress for dinner...
The police reflecting society thing was the thrust of the article. Interestingly, reading some discussion of the article, people seem to think it's more or less about uniform per se, not its wider significance. OTOH, I write fairly long articles and some people might comment without reading until the end.
In comparison with the average length of Facebook comments your articles are long, however I do read and enjoy your humorous and accurate analysis. As far as detectives go, they too have suffered but probably less visibly (see what I did there😂). My stepson is a detective and highlights their issues. A lack of interest in doing what is seen as a difficult job by most potential uniform candidates has resulted in a direct entry scheme. Now it could be argued that fresh, untainted blood will help breakdown the old CID culture but detectives without any appreciation of policing the streets seems plain stupid. Perhaps I’m being old fashioned this seems to be another way to reduce the status of the policing to that of the civil service.
In summary it’s the whole policing service that is being undermined and therefore underfunded. Or am I missing the point?
Keep up the good work Dom.
Excellent piece Dominic. Your observations and subsequent assessment as to where the Old Bill are now is spot on. Thank you. I thoroughly enjoyed the post. Look forward to future offerings very much.
Thank you Andy, please subscribe if you haven't already.