Why are all the Cops arrogant wee boys these days?

[keefysher]

As a former special, I saw a mix of police officers and their attitudes and its fair to say, traffic coppers were the most....difficult by personality, but most of them were alright as long as you allowed them to say their bit, unless you were doing something really daft, they would let you off with ticking.

However, the working day as a cop can be pretty grim, as I well know, especially when most RTCs are caused by excess speed and then poor decision making by the one driving or by spooking other drivers who react to what you are doing. And then its left to you to pull someone out of the wreck, maybe console them as they are dying, holding limbs and puncture wounds in place whilst the paramedics stabilise the fluids and monitors and the fire crew cut the car apart, and then the glorious job of telling their families the bad news.

So I can see why it would rub a copper up the wrong way, especially when the excuse you used was the oldest one in the book. All he has done is witnessed you breaking the law, regardless of the circumstances, he doesnt know that sat behind the wheel of his car. You don't know, but he may have just dealt with a grim situation or another cocky so and so and you were another one doing something daft. So its not always as clear cut as you may think.

It's changed a bit these days. My BiL is a Fireman in Bristol, he is the crew medic as the FB are the first responders in an RTC. The fire brigade get the mucky bits, told not to rescue kids trapped in a car where the father deliberately drove it into the floating harbour in Bristol as last week for example. A similar event with a couple topping themselves in a similar way and he had to watch as they drowned due to it not being 'safe' to get them out according to some control room bod miles away in warm comfy chair behind a computer screen. He is also on the boat for water based incidents, jumpers off the Clifton suspension bridge which is particularly harrowing, the Police don't attend the find and recover bit. The bomb factory that was reported as a firework accident (not in the press that one). Cutting the kids from the car where the father drove like a nutter overtaking on blind bends and having a head on, the second time in 6 weeks. Having to then stop said driver bleeding out whilst extracting him from the car where his ankle was pinned both from the previous incident and the steering column, well before the para medics arrive. Multiple shouts where lives reported over a single tour (4 shifts) and lives lost. Then on the first day off your best mate who you trained with and worked with on the same watch tops themselves. Being petrol bombed and attacked with stones, paving slabs and knives when attending a drug den fire. Unable to get to that pile of fat in the frame of a chair that was a person a few minutes ago. The car battery that blew up and sprayed acid all over you after a hit and run had dumped and torched it, despite being at a prescribed safe distance and letting it burn as no life reported. With a lot of those also being the crowd control as the Police hadn't got there yet.

Those are just a few highlights from the last 3 months of his working life.

Does he ever have an attitude, no. Does he get sharp with people, no. Does he swear, no.

Can he get the new mega turntable through the narrowest of streets, through log jammed traffic to meet the response times, of course he can and without a Police escort.

Then fill in the paperwork, and undertake training to work out the population profile in your station ground, the building density under the guise of CPD, when its actually to reduce headcount on the fire ground, but with increased box tickers at HQ.

Heroes, my BiL and his watch mates and the other watches.

All for a pittance in pay and no rise in years.

 

[Jimbo1959]

Not sure how you'd cope if you had a run-in with the continental police. Was driving back to Spain from Calais when I got stopped for crossing a solid white line (was a DC realised at last minute my lane was turnign off and didn't want to go, seemed it was a known spot as they's set up a trap and lots of French cars pulled for same reason). After taking my docs (car is Spanish, licence/passport UK) he made me wait 10 minutes in the car (shouted at me to sit down when I got out to get some air), looked the car over, then obviously decided it was too much bother to write a fine so just threw all my documents on the passenger seat and told me to go.

But the thing was I was able to get on my journey and I didn't have to pay anything (and he didn't notice the expired MOT I was driving back to Spain for ) so I was rather happy despite his attitude and having to pull in 5 minutes later to reorganise all my documentation . Surprised you aren't the same.... I understand why you sped but it's not justified in law and he wouldn't know you were telling the truth so I'd just be pleased to get away with it...

I do have some experience of the continental police. My mother lived on Majorca for several years prior to her passing on, and we were well warned not to mess with either of the two types of Spanish Police as basically they take no prisoners but your point is taken sir.


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[Jimbo1959]

As a former special, I saw a mix of police officers and their attitudes and its fair to say, traffic coppers were the most....difficult by personality, but most of them were alright as long as you allowed them to say their bit, unless you were doing something really daft, they would let you off with ticking.

However, the working day as a cop can be pretty grim, as I well know, especially when most RTCs are caused by excess speed and then poor decision making by the one driving or by spooking other drivers who react to what you are doing. And then its left to you to pull someone out of the wreck, maybe console them as they are dying, holding limbs and puncture wounds in place whilst the paramedics stabilise the fluids and monitors and the fire crew cut the car apart, and then the glorious job of telling their families the bad news.

So I can see why it would rub a copper up the wrong way, especially when the excuse you used was the oldest one in the book. All he has done is witnessed you breaking the law, regardless of the circumstances, he doesnt know that sat behind the wheel of his car. You don't know, but he may have just dealt with a grim situation or another cocky so and so and you were another one doing something daft. So its not always as clear cut as you may think.

I know, it was one of the reasons for me leaving the Police force. I couldn’t deal with tragedy of picking up the pieces, nutters and violence yes, children and needless waste of life, no. I would like to think that I was a discerning copper who made reasonable decisions and give the benefit of the doubt, not be a black or white badass.


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[gramey]

And your 'authoritative reference' for such statement is....?

Actually you're only required to stop for a police officer in uniform and they have to be clearly identifiable as such, even with blue lights etc. on a plain car people are advised that if they suspect the vehicle in question is not a police car, they shouldn't stop but drive to the nearest police station.

 

[Jimbo1959]

So I can see why it would rub a copper up the wrong way, especially when the excuse you used was the oldest one in the book. All he has done is witnessed you breaking the law, regardless of the circumstances, he doesn't know that sat behind the wheel of his car. You don't know, but he may have just dealt with a grim situation or another cocky so and so and you were another one doing something daft. So it's not always as clear cut as you may think.

With respect sir, I am not in the habit of telling lies, I was telling the officer the truth or at least trying to. I have spent a large part of my life, living in this manner because I don't have the inclination or mind set for telling lies as I have found it only gets one into even more trouble, life is easier telling the truth, even when it sets me at odds with others, it means I can sleep at night.
I was unaware that my reason, "excuse" as you put it, "was the oldest one in the book".
It was a simple statement of fact from my perspective.
I was not cocky, rude or in any way abusive. Only an idiot (imho) intentionally upsets a police officer.
I knew I was in the wrong, despite being between a rock and a hard place, the first words out of my mouth were "I'm sorry...." however, as soon as I tried to impart my reason, I was shut down and given no chance to reply.
I am as near as damn it 60 years old and do not see how I could be interpreted as being a threat to a young man in anyway, shape, or form. I can only assume that the chap had experienced a bad day and my action was the last straw for him.

 

[Wighty]

It's changed a bit these days. My BiL is a Fireman in Bristol, he is the crew medic as the FB are the first responders in an RTC. The fire brigade get the mucky bits, told not to rescue kids trapped in a car where the father deliberately drove it into the floating harbour in Bristol as last week for example. A similar event with a couple topping themselves in a similar way and he had to watch as they drowned due to it not being 'safe' to get them out according to some control room bod miles away in warm comfy chair behind a computer screen. He is also on the boat for water based incidents, jumpers off the Clifton suspension bridge which is particularly harrowing, the Police don't attend the find and recover bit. The bomb factory that was reported as a firework accident (not in the press that one). Cutting the kids from the car where the father drove like a nutter overtaking on blind bends and having a head on, the second time in 6 weeks. Having to then stop said driver bleeding out whilst extracting him from the car where his ankle was pinned both from the previous incident and the steering column, well before the para medics arrive. Multiple shouts where lives reported over a single tour (4 shifts) and lives lost. Then on the first day off your best mate who you trained with and worked with on the same watch tops themselves. Being petrol bombed and attacked with stones, paving slabs and knives when attending a drug den fire. Unable to get to that pile of fat in the frame of a chair that was a person a few minutes ago. The car battery that blew up and sprayed acid all over you after a hit and run had dumped and torched it, despite being at a prescribed safe distance and letting it burn as no life reported. With a lot of those also being the crowd control as the Police hadn't got there yet.

Those are just a few highlights from the last 3 months of his working life.

Does he ever have an attitude, no. Does he get sharp with people, no. Does he swear, no.

Can he get the new mega turntable through the narrowest of streets, through log jammed traffic to meet the response times, of course he can and without a Police escort.

Then fill in the paperwork, and undertake training to work out the population profile in your station ground, the building density under the guise of CPD, when its actually to reduce headcount on the fire ground, but with increased box tickers at HQ.

Heroes, my BiL and his watch mates and the other watches.

All for a pittance in pay and no rise in years.

Well said , nothing needs adding to that .

 

[gramey]

Some years ago I had a chuckle on the A.12 in Essex, I had a BMW at the time, I was in the offside lane making best progress when this was impeded by a Ford Focus travelling at 70 mph over taking another car. Once past this car the Focus remained in the offside lane for no reason other than to hold me up as the inside lane was completely clear.
So I ensured the driver was aware of my presence, even though I knew he was, by giving a long flash on my headlights, no response. This happened twice more with a completely clear inside lane before he eventually moved over, as I went to pass him I became aware that the driver was waving something at me through his window. I matched my speed to his and saw that he was waving a police warrant card at me. Not to be outdone I pulled mine out of my pocket and waved back to him, the look on his face was one of deflation as I proceeded to select 3rd gear, plant my right foot firmly to the carpet and accelerated away.

 

[Jimbo1959]

Actually you're only required to stop for a police officer in uniform and they have to be clearly identifiable as such, even with blue lights etc. on a plain car people are advised that if they suspect the vehicle in question is not a police car, they shouldn't stop but drive to the nearest police station.

Gramey, I know the law in Scotland and England have some quite basic and glaring differences, do you know if your statement is true and correct in Scotland too?

 

[gramey]

Gramey, I know the law in Scotland and England have some quite basic and glaring differences, do you know if your statement is true and correct in Scotland too?

Unfortunately I'm not that conversant with the differences, I would have thought the having to stop only for an officer in uniform is consistent the latter is simply advice given, particularly to lone females. Of course should it be an unmarked car should you drive directly to the nearest police station it would be hard to prove that your concerns weren't genuine.

 

[Steve@Avantgarde]

Actually you're only required to stop for a police officer in uniform and they have to be clearly identifiable as such, even with blue lights etc. on a plain car people are advised that if they suspect the vehicle in question is not a police car, they shouldn't stop but drive to the nearest police station.

Im not sure about in a car, but if an off duty police officer produces his warrant card he still carries the full power of the Queens police force to suspect, question and if necessary detain anyone who he sees breaking the law. Its down to personal discretion whether you want to get involved, but its also seen as your duty to do so.

 

[gramey]

Im not sure about in a car, but if an off duty police officer produces his warrant card he still carries the full power of the Queens police force to suspect, question and if necessary detain anyone who he sees breaking the law. Its down to personal discretion whether you want to get involved, but its also seen as your duty to do so.

Section 163 of the Road Traffic Act states that "A person driving a motor vehicle on a road must stop the vehicle on being required to do so by a constable in uniform." Which I believe was the subject of discussion as the OP was referring to being stopped by the police in his car.
Thanks for telling me what was seen as my duty when I was in my own unpaid time, that would have been wholly dependent on the severity of the crime. A colleague of mine was stabbed and had to fight for his life after intervening over an unpaid taxi fare, my discretion tells me somebody else's life would have to have been in danger for me to take that risk, not a £15 taxi fare or £20 of tat from Primark.

 

[Capra]

You probably met someone on their bad day. You have to feel for them, they spend their time dealing with the dregs of society who swear and spit at them, then dealing with a tragic accident and informing the relatives.

 

[Blobcat]

Not sure if anyone watches Police-Interceptors on Ch 5. I caught an episode this week and the utter disregard for the Police is disturbing to witness.

One "gentleman" was caught doing >100 mph on the M62 in a car which he'd "borrowed" from his brother to take his wife and kids to Bradford for food. Whilst I agree the food in Bradford is worth travelling for, it's not worth risking your families life for especially as he had no insurance!. The attitude he gave the traffic officer was just terrible, the traffic officer maintained his composure throughout. Yes he was on TV but if you get an opportunity to watch it think hod you'd react in the same circumstances.

The "society" that the Police see day in day out is broken, thankfully because they are there the rest of us rarely get to witness what they witness daily.

 

[Capra]

The Gloucestershire police have just been given out their festive Xmas spit guards. I thought, how lovely at this happy time of year. At least it will save them taking the crap load of pills and injections to fight off any infections caught!!

 

[Jimbo1959]

The Gloucestershire police have just been given out their festive Xmas spit guards. I thought, how lovely at this happy time of year. At least it will save them taking the crap load of pills and injections to fight off any infections caught!!

Oh what a sheltered life we lead.

Thank goodness!

I didn't even know that there was such a thing as spit guards.

What sort of person would even do that to another human being?

 

[Taffy7hfa]

The "law" can be quite irritating when we feel its getting in our way, but the law is there for a reason.
We have the best most courageous police in the world bar none ! if you don't believe me watch this, they didn't even put the ****** handbrake on....

 

[Capra]

The "law" can be quite irritating when we feel its getting in our way, but the law is there for a reason.
We have the best most courageous police in the world bar none ! if you don't believe me watch this, they didn't even put the ****** handbrake on....

Don't armed police go off active service if they shoot anyone? In that time an investigation is carried out to make sure they applied the correct force? Then they have a full psychological assessment to make sure they are fit for service?

 

[Blobcat]

Don't armed police go off active service if they shoot anyone? In that time an investigation is carried out to make sure they applied the correct force? Then they have a full psychological assessment to make sure they are fit for service?

Pretty much, they can also have their training filmed and then every decision they've made whether to shoot or not can be reviewed so that they can be assessed as to if it was justified or not.

On an aside the crims aren't scared of the firearms as they know how far they can push it before they're likely to get shot. On the other hand they're very scared of tasers and dogs as they can be used a long time before firearms.