Pulled by cops - oldest excuse in the book
14 July 2002, 04:16 PM
#1
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I've had a P1 for about 14 months now so was a bit surprised it has taken until today to get pulled by the boys in blue. Now, I don't look like your average car thief (35, greying at the sides, glasses, three kids etc etc) but, as I pull out of my road at lunchtime today (leafy Surrey cul-de-sac) notice a police Volvo going the other way, does a u-turn in my road, catches me up and pulls me. Conversation...
Them: "Nothing to worry about sir, put we've had reports of a couple of these stolen this morning"
Me: "That's pretty impressive seeing as there are only 1,000 of them and most, if not all, will have trackers in them"
Them "We don't have tracker in our car so wouldn't know if your's had been activated"
Didn't bother asking them what their radio's were for or what they though of my attempt to evade them which consisted of slowing from 30mph to 0 at the earliest opportunity.
They then threw me by asking why i had no tax! After a moments panic, remembered my 5 year old playing with the tax discs the other day whereby he had put the old one over the new one - panic over.
They then took my name and address and off I went.
Now, even though i realise that in my driving life i will get pulled on a number of occasions and this one resulted in no penlaty points or fine, it still p*sses me off that they waste their time doing it - he was lying, i knew he was lying and i think he knew that i knew he was lying - why bother.
PS last time i got pulled with the excuse of "stolen car" was 17 years ago in a mk2 escort, denim jacket and jeans, *** in mouth. Those were the days.
Them: "Nothing to worry about sir, put we've had reports of a couple of these stolen this morning"
Me: "That's pretty impressive seeing as there are only 1,000 of them and most, if not all, will have trackers in them"
Them "We don't have tracker in our car so wouldn't know if your's had been activated"
Didn't bother asking them what their radio's were for or what they though of my attempt to evade them which consisted of slowing from 30mph to 0 at the earliest opportunity.
They then threw me by asking why i had no tax! After a moments panic, remembered my 5 year old playing with the tax discs the other day whereby he had put the old one over the new one - panic over.
They then took my name and address and off I went.
Now, even though i realise that in my driving life i will get pulled on a number of occasions and this one resulted in no penlaty points or fine, it still p*sses me off that they waste their time doing it - he was lying, i knew he was lying and i think he knew that i knew he was lying - why bother.
PS last time i got pulled with the excuse of "stolen car" was 17 years ago in a mk2 escort, denim jacket and jeans, *** in mouth. Those were the days.
14 July 2002, 04:46 PM
#2
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If the police didn't stop cars at random, next time it might not be you driving your car, and some other kind person giving it a test drive for you. In this case if the police didn't stop him, you would be making a phone call to your claims department. It's up to you.
I do agree however, i have been stopped by Police who've talked complete crap. They do try!
I do agree however, i have been stopped by Police who've talked complete crap. They do try!
14 July 2002, 06:12 PM
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It was probably an honest check. If you were a thief you could have either bolted or been a bit more cagey under police interrogation 
At least they are checking so if it had been your car, they may have caught the crim
Take deep breaths and take it easy
At least they are checking so if it had been your car, they may have caught the crim
Take deep breaths and take it easy
14 July 2002, 06:53 PM
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Personally i wouldnt have a problem with this. Police have a difficult job to do and the more they get used to seein me drivin my car, the more likely they are to pull someone else over if seen in my car. Maybe.
But yeah, they should be catchin real crims too....
But yeah, they should be catchin real crims too....
14 July 2002, 06:57 PM
#5
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Christ on a bike!
We can't do right for doing wrong!
Sorry - maybe the beer talking here, but if people aren't having a go for one thing, then its another......
At the end of the day, a police officer in uniform can stop ANY vehicle to request the driver produce his or her driving licence, so tbh - they don't need any other reason or excuse.
I know I'd like to think my car would be stop-checked regularly, as there may come a time when it isn't me in the driver's seat.
[Edited by BuRR - 7/14/2002 6:58:26 PM]
We can't do right for doing wrong!
Sorry - maybe the beer talking here, but if people aren't having a go for one thing, then its another......
At the end of the day, a police officer in uniform can stop ANY vehicle to request the driver produce his or her driving licence, so tbh - they don't need any other reason or excuse.
I know I'd like to think my car would be stop-checked regularly, as there may come a time when it isn't me in the driver's seat.
[Edited by BuRR - 7/14/2002 6:58:26 PM]
14 July 2002, 08:19 PM
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No, Burr, it wasnt too strong. BUT the problem surely is the public perception of the police at the moment.
Exampl - If you have your car broken into like I did on Xmas morning (basts) you dont even warrant a VISIT from the police, and there is "nothing they can do" anyway so you wonder what the hell the world is coming to and you get rather annoyed. Gypsies move into your village, like they have done in Kent and destroy £35000 worth of privately funded kiddies playground, a cricket pitch and an area of outstanding beauty - the police cant move them on because they "dont have the available resources". They dont check their tax/insurance either because "by the time it would get to court they have moved to another county and we cant find them".
BUT you go out minding your own law abinding business and you get pulled for no reason other than the old chestnut. We all KNOW the chances of your car being stopped the min ute after it has been stolen are infinitesimally small. It wont happen.
Sop the perception is (and notice I didnt say the REALITY!! thats important) that the police pick the easy target all the time.
And if thats what the public believe, then thats whats TRUE as far as they are concerned. So, NO. you CANT win. Nor can you do right. There is always a burgalar you should have caught instead of the speeding motorist. There is always a vandal who keyed my car that you shouild have beaten to a pulp rather than having been doing some papaerwork for a case that will only merit some "community service" for a thieveing toe rag and the victims still live in fear of being fire-bombed.
Sorry, but thats the way it is, and if the "people in charge" *laughs* cant see that then they are even denser than they appear.
Buzz
*Rant mode OFF*
Exampl - If you have your car broken into like I did on Xmas morning (basts) you dont even warrant a VISIT from the police, and there is "nothing they can do" anyway so you wonder what the hell the world is coming to and you get rather annoyed. Gypsies move into your village, like they have done in Kent and destroy £35000 worth of privately funded kiddies playground, a cricket pitch and an area of outstanding beauty - the police cant move them on because they "dont have the available resources". They dont check their tax/insurance either because "by the time it would get to court they have moved to another county and we cant find them".
BUT you go out minding your own law abinding business and you get pulled for no reason other than the old chestnut. We all KNOW the chances of your car being stopped the min ute after it has been stolen are infinitesimally small. It wont happen.
Sop the perception is (and notice I didnt say the REALITY!! thats important) that the police pick the easy target all the time.
And if thats what the public believe, then thats whats TRUE as far as they are concerned. So, NO. you CANT win. Nor can you do right. There is always a burgalar you should have caught instead of the speeding motorist. There is always a vandal who keyed my car that you shouild have beaten to a pulp rather than having been doing some papaerwork for a case that will only merit some "community service" for a thieveing toe rag and the victims still live in fear of being fire-bombed.
Sorry, but thats the way it is, and if the "people in charge" *laughs* cant see that then they are even denser than they appear.
Buzz
*Rant mode OFF*
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14 July 2002, 09:39 PM
#8
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Well, I think a lot of it is down to money, certainly in the subdivision I work.
Currently, an average shift will show out anythying between 8 and 12 officers, usually doubling up in cars (for corroboration as well as safety).
Now - in Killingbeck (East Leeds) - those 12 officers are "looking after" approximately 300,000 people, of which 60,000 are current and known offenders.
Each officer carries a workload of anything between 8-20 live crimes for investigation, as well as having to deal with fail-to-stop accidents and prisoner-handovers from the night before. All this time, the division is receiving the best part of 150 calls in any 8 hour shift, most of which require a visit.
Now - as far as having your car broken into. Usually, an officer will attend to check for possible forensic..... and the call will be prioritised, as there are usually calls coming in at all times, and the offender in this case has gone.
I know it doesn't make things right, but the police service is now being run as a business. We have performance indicators in situ, and our hands are tied a lot more tightly now the Human Rights legislation is in place. A lot of the "regulars" know the legislation as good as, if not better, than us! (that's what legal aid has done for this country - got criminals and solicitors on first name terms
)
Anyway........ where was I?
Money.
Things is..... the starting wage for a UK PC is about £17k. Not worth it IMHO. That's why there are less and less joining the force, and those that do get disillusioned very quickly. If I was in a position to join the force now, I would only do so if I could find no other work.
oh...
There's also those that get a kick out of the authority.... those that know me will know what I think of them
I just get a bit pi$$ed off with some of the ACAB mentality that appears on here sometimes. Fair enough, some people may have had a run-in at some point, as have I..... but let's face it.... its just a job, and like any other job, the people doing it come from all walks of life and have different views on life....
These kinds of threads are the type that make me think about throwing in the towel and quitting Scoobynet
Currently, an average shift will show out anythying between 8 and 12 officers, usually doubling up in cars (for corroboration as well as safety).
Now - in Killingbeck (East Leeds) - those 12 officers are "looking after" approximately 300,000 people, of which 60,000 are current and known offenders.
Each officer carries a workload of anything between 8-20 live crimes for investigation, as well as having to deal with fail-to-stop accidents and prisoner-handovers from the night before. All this time, the division is receiving the best part of 150 calls in any 8 hour shift, most of which require a visit.
Now - as far as having your car broken into. Usually, an officer will attend to check for possible forensic..... and the call will be prioritised, as there are usually calls coming in at all times, and the offender in this case has gone.
I know it doesn't make things right, but the police service is now being run as a business. We have performance indicators in situ, and our hands are tied a lot more tightly now the Human Rights legislation is in place. A lot of the "regulars" know the legislation as good as, if not better, than us! (that's what legal aid has done for this country - got criminals and solicitors on first name terms
)Anyway........ where was I?
Money.
Things is..... the starting wage for a UK PC is about £17k. Not worth it IMHO. That's why there are less and less joining the force, and those that do get disillusioned very quickly. If I was in a position to join the force now, I would only do so if I could find no other work.
oh...
There's also those that get a kick out of the authority.... those that know me will know what I think of them
I just get a bit pi$$ed off with some of the ACAB mentality that appears on here sometimes. Fair enough, some people may have had a run-in at some point, as have I..... but let's face it.... its just a job, and like any other job, the people doing it come from all walks of life and have different views on life....
These kinds of threads are the type that make me think about throwing in the towel and quitting Scoobynet
14 July 2002, 09:52 PM
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who are the first people you call when your car is stolen, damaged, broken into, involved in fail to stop accidents etc?
its plod isn't it. nuff said.
BuRR you voiced the opinion of thousands in the know but you know it falls on the thousands who aren't to moan.
stay safe
its plod isn't it. nuff said.
BuRR you voiced the opinion of thousands in the know but you know it falls on the thousands who aren't to moan.
stay safe
14 July 2002, 09:57 PM
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Andrew
How many ordinary people do you know who can identify your P1 as something special ? If I stopped a Lancer I wouldn't know the difference between a GSR an RSI or an Extreme but I still know its a Lancer. When he said we've had reports of a couple of these stolen he obviously just meant Impreza, trouble is it looks like you would have found fault no matter what he said.
As for reports of Impreza's being stolen I can believe it, its one of the most stolen cars I know, especially in the home counties, big towns and cities.
I've had my Impreza for 12 months ish and I've only been stopped the once which was in Kent. Usual stop check and my car didn't appear on the PNC as I had changed to a private plate and the computer had not been updated. Both were polite and perfectly reasonable, then again I never gave an arsey reply to the first thing they said.
Public perception is coppers are arseholes, fair enough but could you do the job ? I'm not asking if you would want to do it but could you actually do it?
The thing most people forget is that criminals use cars too and not just crap ones. I would rather get stopped four or five times a year than somebody stealing my car.
Nathan..
How many ordinary people do you know who can identify your P1 as something special ? If I stopped a Lancer I wouldn't know the difference between a GSR an RSI or an Extreme but I still know its a Lancer. When he said we've had reports of a couple of these stolen he obviously just meant Impreza, trouble is it looks like you would have found fault no matter what he said.
As for reports of Impreza's being stolen I can believe it, its one of the most stolen cars I know, especially in the home counties, big towns and cities.
I've had my Impreza for 12 months ish and I've only been stopped the once which was in Kent. Usual stop check and my car didn't appear on the PNC as I had changed to a private plate and the computer had not been updated. Both were polite and perfectly reasonable, then again I never gave an arsey reply to the first thing they said.
Public perception is coppers are arseholes, fair enough but could you do the job ? I'm not asking if you would want to do it but could you actually do it?
The thing most people forget is that criminals use cars too and not just crap ones. I would rather get stopped four or five times a year than somebody stealing my car.
Nathan..
14 July 2002, 10:17 PM
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Dont get me wrong, Im NOT in the supposed "majority" who think the coppers waste their time - I like to think Im far too educated to believe that.
I couldnt do the job. Im not one for confrontation, never have been. Id run a mile from a riot, or I'd want to use firearms from an armoured car
I rang the police Xmas morning. Even the thieves are at home giving the stolen gifts to family, so I cant imagine at 8:00 am there is a lot of crime. BUT! I DO know that the cops have family too. So I told them nothing was stolen (I lost about 400 quids worth of CDs) and that all I wanted was a number for the insurance company, didnt want to waste their time.
I wouldnt do it. Praise to all those that do a job I wouldnt in circumstances that are only getting worse in my opinion. Too many bleeding heart do-gooders. Prison is NOT there for rehabilitation, its not MEANT to be nice and comfy, its a PUNISHMENT! Rehab comes AFTERWARDS. But thats another thread
Oh and BuRR. I love you and want to have your babies. So do we all. NEVER quit Scoobynet. Its far too nice a place, and we need people from all walks of life. If only SOME become educated its better than none
Buzz
I couldnt do the job. Im not one for confrontation, never have been. Id run a mile from a riot, or I'd want to use firearms from an armoured car
I rang the police Xmas morning. Even the thieves are at home giving the stolen gifts to family, so I cant imagine at 8:00 am there is a lot of crime. BUT! I DO know that the cops have family too. So I told them nothing was stolen (I lost about 400 quids worth of CDs) and that all I wanted was a number for the insurance company, didnt want to waste their time.
I wouldnt do it. Praise to all those that do a job I wouldnt in circumstances that are only getting worse in my opinion. Too many bleeding heart do-gooders. Prison is NOT there for rehabilitation, its not MEANT to be nice and comfy, its a PUNISHMENT! Rehab comes AFTERWARDS. But thats another thread
Oh and BuRR. I love you and want to have your babies
. So do we all. NEVER quit Scoobynet. Its far too nice a place, and we need people from all walks of life. If only SOME become educated its better than noneBuzz
14 July 2002, 10:18 PM
#12
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I read an advert today for Police Officers - £26000 after 18 weeks training 
I reckon its about time they started bl00dy well earning it!!!
My daughter wants to join the police and a very good career it is too - but dont they whine and whine .............. they are on bloody good money NOW clean up the streets!!
Sorry Burr - rant over
Pete
I reckon its about time they started bl00dy well earning it!!!My daughter wants to join the police and a very good career it is too - but dont they whine and whine .............. they are on bloody good money NOW clean up the streets!!
Sorry Burr - rant over
Pete
14 July 2002, 10:24 PM
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BuRR (and some others): with respect, you miss the point. What Andrew was complaining about was NOT that he was stopped: but WAS that the conversation opened with a blatant lie by the Officers. (As, BTW, do ALL breath test roadblock stops) If, as BuRR says, Police have the right to stop you to inspect documents at a whim (which they did successfully in your case, Andrew) then why not say "It's a juicy motor sir, a lot of 'em get nicked and exported, and we'd like to check you're the rightful owner". By opening the conversation with a prevarication - I think the technical term is - the Police give the impression that they are either unsure of their grounds in law, or that the stop is for some other purpose than that declared (which by definition flowing from the lie, it may well be!!)
I, for one, don't mind being stopped, if I'm dealt with honestly and openly, and not detained from my lawful business one second longer than is necessary! Police Officers don't like the P*$$ being taken.....the goose and the gander come to mind!
Phil
then why not say "It's a juicy motor sir, a lot of 'em get nicked and exported, and we'd like to check you're the rightful owner". By opening the conversation with a prevarication - I think the technical term is - the Police give the impression that they are either unsure of their grounds in law, or that the stop is for some other purpose than that declared (which by definition flowing from the lie, it may well be!!)I, for one, don't mind being stopped, if I'm dealt with honestly and openly, and not detained from my lawful business one second longer than is necessary! Police Officers don't like the P*$$ being taken.....the goose and the gander come to mind!
Phil
14 July 2002, 10:37 PM
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I don't have any problems with the police in my area AT ALL.
I was stopped in my old Golf GTI16V twice in three years (aged 18-21), once for speeding once for having no lights on. Both times the police were perfectly within their rights, polite and not at all condescending etc. and myself likewise. Outcome = clean licence
Never been stopped in the Scooby in almost a year and have seen loads of patrol cars, worth mentioning that I am sometimes on the road very late at night and I'm a fresh faced 22 year old. I'm actually a bit concerned that I haven't been stoppped yet! Mind you I'm usually wearing a shirt and tie which probably helps.
Getting back to the point in question I think police officers on the whole do the best they can with the resources available to them. I know that if I had to do that intense a job for that little money I would find it hard to motivate myself...
Jamie
I was stopped in my old Golf GTI16V twice in three years (aged 18-21), once for speeding once for having no lights on. Both times the police were perfectly within their rights, polite and not at all condescending etc. and myself likewise. Outcome = clean licence
Never been stopped in the Scooby in almost a year and have seen loads of patrol cars, worth mentioning that I am sometimes on the road very late at night and I'm a fresh faced 22 year old
. I'm actually a bit concerned that I haven't been stoppped yet! Mind you I'm usually wearing a shirt and tie which probably helps.Getting back to the point in question I think police officers on the whole do the best they can with the resources available to them. I know that if I had to do that intense a job for that little money I would find it hard to motivate myself...
Jamie
14 July 2002, 10:38 PM
#15
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AS far as £26,000 - that's a surprise. I'm currently a trained tutor constable, so I certainly know what the new recruits start on.
£17k
[Edited by BuRR - 7/14/2002 10:40:26 PM]
£17k
[Edited by BuRR - 7/14/2002 10:40:26 PM]
14 July 2002, 10:57 PM
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but for 17k/year - i might quit and join the force ...
i've been pulled twice in less than 6 months for pretty much the same reason (you are driving an impreza) both times only lasted about 2mins (max), and obviously was the officer just checking that I have keys in the ingnition and that I had a good enough story and didn't boot it in a high speed persuit when he flashed me in... I don't mind them stopping me, just as stated above it's the crappy excused that wind me up - "Oh, you were accelerating too fast." (didn't even put the foot 1/2way down and didn't break the speed limit on an empty dual carridgeway which is a 40 road), "I saw an impreza earlier today by ***** and it was going pretty quick.. (but then he said that the cars get stolen quite often so he was just checking - ok telling the truth now - I then drive about 10 yards onto my drive).."
so anyway back to my point - 17k/year and get to cruise around all the time! what a job - I'd have to say the cops have a lot on their plate and do seem to be on the losing side most of the time.. all i can say - doh (at least these guys arent pschyo's like the US ones :O )!
...i've been pulled twice in less than 6 months for pretty much the same reason (you are driving an impreza) both times only lasted about 2mins (max), and obviously was the officer just checking that I have keys in the ingnition and that I had a good enough story and didn't boot it in a high speed persuit when he flashed me in... I don't mind them stopping me, just as stated above it's the crappy excused that wind me up - "Oh, you were accelerating too fast." (didn't even put the foot 1/2way down and didn't break the speed limit on an empty dual carridgeway which is a 40 road), "I saw an impreza earlier today by ***** and it was going pretty quick.. (but then he said that the cars get stolen quite often so he was just checking - ok telling the truth now - I then drive about 10 yards onto my drive
).."so anyway back to my point - 17k/year and get to cruise around all the time! what a job
- I'd have to say the cops have a lot on their plate and do seem to be on the losing side most of the time.. all i can say - doh (at least these guys arent pschyo's like the US ones :O )!
14 July 2002, 11:04 PM
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I think the Met Police might be more like 26k a year. My mate has just joing W.Sussex force and I believe he is on about 19k a year (after training).
Personally, I wouldn't get out of bed for less than 30k
Personally, I wouldn't get out of bed for less than 30k
14 July 2002, 11:19 PM
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I got stopped when I was 20 in my dads 406 2.1 TD for pulling away a little quickly from the lights. The guy was really pi$$y with me until he asked how old I was. As soon as he found out I was 20 and not 17 he started being really nice and asking about the car, etc! Ageism if you ask me!
Well, I'm away to test that theory, I've just finished cleaning the scooby (took all day!) and now I'm starving. Going to head into town to get some chow and that involves passing lots of police. 23 years old but look younger, who'll give me 10:1 on getting pulled
Well, I'm away to test that theory, I've just finished cleaning the scooby (took all day!) and now I'm starving. Going to head into town to get some chow and that involves passing lots of police. 23 years old but look younger, who'll give me 10:1 on getting pulled
15 July 2002, 12:02 AM
#22
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i have had my car broken into and vandalised.when it was broken into at 4 am the dozey policeman kept setting off the alarm and suggested i put the car into a garage overnight-if i had a garage i would put my car into it!!!when the car got vandalised the policeman said "that is going to cost a lot" really!!!!no wonder they cant catch thieves with brains like these!
martin
martin
15 July 2002, 12:15 AM
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Just for information, what do you need to have qualification wise to join the police and have a starting salary, as has been stated, of £26k in the met and £17 elsewhere?
I only ask as I work in the NHS as a senior biomedical scientist, six years qualifying, letters after my name, 36yrs experience and I still don't get £26 a year. Mind you, I'm only 5'7" so I'm not qualified, and if I was I'd have retired 6yrs ago. Starting salary in my job is about £13k max and you need a degree in the right subject. If we could offer a salary of 17k after a few weeks training we would not have the recruitment and retention problems we have now.
Rant over.
Perhaps if the policy makers could concentrate a bit more on those who break the law on purpose and a bit less on those who don't they might have more of a positive image with the law abiding majority.
I only ask as I work in the NHS as a senior biomedical scientist, six years qualifying, letters after my name, 36yrs experience and I still don't get £26 a year. Mind you, I'm only 5'7" so I'm not qualified, and if I was I'd have retired 6yrs ago. Starting salary in my job is about £13k max and you need a degree in the right subject. If we could offer a salary of 17k after a few weeks training we would not have the recruitment and retention problems we have now.
Rant over.
Perhaps if the policy makers could concentrate a bit more on those who break the law on purpose and a bit less on those who don't they might have more of a positive image with the law abiding majority.
15 July 2002, 12:28 AM
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I think the minimum qualifications for the police force are GCSEs (Maths, English) although 'experience' in other fields/life would also help I guess. I've also heard that police pay a lower tax rate and don't pay any interest on the first 40k of a mortgage. The hours can be unsociable though. I agree that the money is good but don't know if it is 'worth it' for the stress, responsibility and aggro it must entail.
J
PS I applied to the Police at 18 but was rejected. Phew!
J
PS I applied to the Police at 18 but was rejected. Phew!
15 July 2002, 12:59 AM
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Ok. I am 24, I am sick to death of my 'career' in IT on account of all I seem to meet are idiots.
I have always dismissed the idea of joining the police force as I have in in-built fear that power corrupts.
Oh, and perhaps a few teeny weenie issues with authority.
But what I want to know is: Is it worth it?
I mean, it must be awful having to scrape some kiddie off the road in the morning, and then get someone giving you attitude for not wearing their seatbelt in the afternoon?
Is it really a rewarding job? Do you really feel you are making a difference, or are you just one of the down trodden masses?
Sorry to sound all philisophical, but I want a job where there is actually some POINT! where you can make a DIFFERENCE without stupid stupid managerial types neglecting the sheer level of skill they have in those under them and instead treating them like meat?
Does a bobby on the street go home and feel like he has done a good days work? Cos if you get that feeling at the end of a shift....count me in.
I have always dismissed the idea of joining the police force as I have in in-built fear that power corrupts.
Oh, and perhaps a few teeny weenie issues with authority.
But what I want to know is: Is it worth it?
I mean, it must be awful having to scrape some kiddie off the road in the morning, and then get someone giving you attitude for not wearing their seatbelt in the afternoon?
Is it really a rewarding job? Do you really feel you are making a difference, or are you just one of the down trodden masses?
Sorry to sound all philisophical, but I want a job where there is actually some POINT! where you can make a DIFFERENCE without stupid stupid managerial types neglecting the sheer level of skill they have in those under them and instead treating them like meat?
Does a bobby on the street go home and feel like he has done a good days work? Cos if you get that feeling at the end of a shift....count me in.
15 July 2002, 08:24 AM
#27
Scooby Regular
The level of education required for joining the "job" has fallen drastically of recent years, making it much easier for people to apply and be accepted. No height / age / sex / race restrictions - just a clean criminal record (obviously ) You don't even need a driving licence.
THe £26 must be to take into account the London waiting allowance.
No - we don't pay less tax, although I do get a £55 a year tax credit for boots
A big chunk of my wage (11%) goes out each 4 weeks for my pension, so I suppose there's light at the end of the tunnel there.
As far as feeling satisfied at the end of the shift - usually, yes, but sometimes you go home feeling like **** after what you've just dealt with....
Some of my personal nasties........
1. A man who'd been dead for about 2 weeks, who's bottom half had been eaten by his 2 dogs.
2. A woman who had been dead for 4 months, having died on the settee in the front room of the home. Her husband had carried on as if nothing had happened (a kind of coping mechanism I suppose) and had been bringing her sandwiches every day. The undertakers had to remove the whole settee, as the body had seeped and fused into the upholstery.
3. A 10 year old boy that had run in front of a bus @ 30mph
4. A man who had been stabbed through the heart by his mother in law. (He lived) <-- Needless to say, this lad was a well known drug addict / burglar and was out committing crime a matter of weeks later
5. Attending an RTA where a car had left the road, the driver's head had come out of the side window, due to the momentum of the vehicle, and a tree had taken the top of his head off. In casualty later, when they tried to save his life, I had to try and hold him down as the adrenaline in his body was making him try to get up, which was causing the insides of his head fall out
6. Being first on the scene to a man who had jumped from a 13 storey flat.
7. Searching prisoners with dirty needles in their pockets.
8. Going into dirty houses, to take complaints and reports from the callers, when you really do have to hold your breath to stop yourself from being sick.
9. Attending a call, where upon going into the house, the entire inside floor was covered in dog$hit. The bloke didn't care! wtf?
10. Wrestling with a mental patient to stop her stabbing herself, and me
11. Being first at a pubfight (30+ people) and upon arriving, them all stop fighting and deciding to fight me! I got the $hit kicked out of me - luckily backup was only seconds behind me, but not before I received a few injuries.
12. Being rammed deliberately by a stolen car, breaking my nose in the process.......
13. and finally..... for now...... being thrown through the windscreen of my panda car (as a passenger) just before last Christmas when following a stolen car full of burglars that had just done a bogus burglary on a 90 year old woman.... our car slid on some mud and hit a lamp post.
So yes..... the job is interesting at times.
I don't want to put anyone off though, because as well as the downers there are plenty of highs.... If anyone wants any information, please feel free to email me off the board (as profile) and I'll do my best to point you in the correct direction.
) You don't even need a driving licence.THe £26 must be to take into account the London waiting allowance.
No - we don't pay less tax, although I do get a £55 a year tax credit for boots
A big chunk of my wage (11%) goes out each 4 weeks for my pension, so I suppose there's light at the end of the tunnel there.
As far as feeling satisfied at the end of the shift - usually, yes, but sometimes you go home feeling like **** after what you've just dealt with....
Some of my personal nasties........
1. A man who'd been dead for about 2 weeks, who's bottom half had been eaten by his 2 dogs.
2. A woman who had been dead for 4 months, having died on the settee in the front room of the home. Her husband had carried on as if nothing had happened (a kind of coping mechanism I suppose) and had been bringing her sandwiches every day. The undertakers had to remove the whole settee, as the body had seeped and fused into the upholstery.
3. A 10 year old boy that had run in front of a bus @ 30mph
4. A man who had been stabbed through the heart by his mother in law. (He lived
) <-- Needless to say, this lad was a well known drug addict / burglar and was out committing crime a matter of weeks later 5. Attending an RTA where a car had left the road, the driver's head had come out of the side window, due to the momentum of the vehicle, and a tree had taken the top of his head off. In casualty later, when they tried to save his life, I had to try and hold him down as the adrenaline in his body was making him try to get up, which was causing the insides of his head fall out
6. Being first on the scene to a man who had jumped from a 13 storey flat.
7. Searching prisoners with dirty needles in their pockets.
8. Going into dirty houses, to take complaints and reports from the callers, when you really do have to hold your breath to stop yourself from being sick.
9. Attending a call, where upon going into the house, the entire inside floor was covered in dog$hit. The bloke didn't care! wtf?
10. Wrestling with a mental patient to stop her stabbing herself, and me
11. Being first at a pubfight (30+ people) and upon arriving, them all stop fighting and deciding to fight me!
I got the $hit kicked out of me - luckily backup was only seconds behind me, but not before I received a few injuries.12. Being rammed deliberately by a stolen car, breaking my nose in the process.......
13. and finally..... for now...... being thrown through the windscreen of my panda car (as a passenger) just before last Christmas when following a stolen car full of burglars that had just done a bogus burglary on a 90 year old woman.... our car slid on some mud and hit a lamp post.
So yes..... the job is interesting at times.
I don't want to put anyone off though, because as well as the downers there are plenty of highs.... If anyone wants any information, please feel free to email me off the board (as profile) and I'll do my best to point you in the correct direction.
15 July 2002, 11:06 AM
#28
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People vent their frustration at the police because they are the visible ones. However the problems with today's society are with the ones "in control" who deem speeding motorists more important than burglars & vandals. We have had 40 years of child-centred learning and victim's human rights and quite rightly, we are reaping what we sow in terms of a general breakdown in society.
I feel genuinely sorry for the police because the ones I know think it stinks when lawyers trumpet the rights of burglars & muggers who are injured while committing crimes.
The only comforting thought is that these things go in cycles and eventually society (as happened in the Victorian era for example) will get a grip on things. The question is how far it falls before society takes action...
I feel genuinely sorry for the police because the ones I know think it stinks when lawyers trumpet the rights of burglars & muggers who are injured while committing crimes.
The only comforting thought is that these things go in cycles and eventually society (as happened in the Victorian era for example) will get a grip on things. The question is how far it falls before society takes action...
15 July 2002, 11:33 AM
#29
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Burr
Thanks for sharing.
There are a lots of people around who will slate the police all day long for seemingly doing nothing about crime. Although I sympathise with them to some extent I have nothing but admiration for the work the police do.
The 'Could you' adverts give a taste, and I know that my answer to all your experiences would be no I could'nt. But I for one am relvied that there are some people who can, and that they deserve our respect as well as more public recognition for the work they do.
I wish that the police/Govt would focus more on the distasteful side of police work, thus helping to remove the view that all they do is sit on motorway bridges doing motorists for going 71 Mph.
Respect m8
Thanks for sharing.
There are a lots of people around who will slate the police all day long for seemingly doing nothing about crime. Although I sympathise with them to some extent I have nothing but admiration for the work the police do.
The 'Could you' adverts give a taste, and I know that my answer to all your experiences would be no I could'nt. But I for one am relvied that there are some people who can, and that they deserve our respect as well as more public recognition for the work they do.
I wish that the police/Govt would focus more on the distasteful side of police work, thus helping to remove the view that all they do is sit on motorway bridges doing motorists for going 71 Mph.
Respect m8
