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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU to feel the police system needs complete reform?

32 replies

BrighterDaysAhead2026 · 02/09/2026 23:37

Up until recently I'd never had dealings with the police. But that changed and now I just can't unsee it...the whole system is toxic. I feel like it needs breaking down and starting again.

There is so much I could say and I don't want to write an essay, although happy to answer questions. But does anyone else have the same feelings? What can be done?

Just a few experiences:

8 police officers assualted/stood around laughing at/intimidating my mentally unwell daughter. My complaint has been ignored...

In custody, I was prevented from having my medication for my mental health and lied about it.

In interview, the police wanted to show me an upsetting video that had nothing to do with why I was there. My solicitor told me it was just a tatic to upset me and instructed me not to watch it. Just juvenile game playing.

OP posts:
Original poster
BrighterDaysAhead2026 · 03/09/2026 16:03

WhatTheHellsGoingOn · 03/09/2026 02:05

What was the nature of the video they tried to show you and why did they say they were showing it?

The video was them breaking into my house. The young officer said he didn't know why he had to show it to me as it was irrelevant but he had to do as he was told!

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HobgoblinNorFoulFiend · 03/09/2026 05:07

I fortunately don’t have much direct experience with the police and I hope that continues. But the experience of family and friends and the general news suggests you are right. Institutional systemic change needed.

Starrynyr · 03/09/2026 03:59

How exactly did you end up in custody Op?

I think the police need institutional reform so I completely agree.

But I must say I find it interesting how for years POC especially Black people and some gay men of all races have been speaking of the systemic discrimination within it and people have turned a blind eye until it directly affects them.

The sad and brutal murder of Sarah Everad and their conduct at the vigil, was a wake up call for a lot of women who weren’t otherwise bothered or believing of these assertions before.

tamade · 03/09/2026 03:49

"and I was on the phone with the crisis team."
Do you think the crisis team might have sent them?
And how did you end up in custody? Were you trying to defend your daughter and arrested for assault, or was it something which happened later like a campaign to get you?

FWIW I don't have a particularly high opinion of the police,

WhatTheHellsGoingOn · 03/09/2026 02:05

What was the nature of the video they tried to show you and why did they say they were showing it?

Original poster
BrighterDaysAhead2026 · 02/09/2026 23:51

Sorry, other salient point, my case was thrown out of court and I still don't know what really happened although I suspect it was police corruption. I know that sounds crazy!

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Original poster
BrighterDaysAhead2026 · 02/09/2026 23:46

I don't want to be accused of 'drip feeding' but there is so much and honestly some of it sounds crazy. Like I might wonder if it was true before all of this.

But basically, I complained about what happened with my daughter. Still not got to the bottom of why what happened, happened so I can't fill in all of the blanks. But police turned up at my door, I'd not called them, although they insisted I had. I stupidly let them in, not realising there were 8 of them. My daughter was very unwell and I was on the phone with the crisis team...they piled into my house and promptly tackled my autistic, mentally unwell daughter to the floor , then all stood around looking at her, laughing, being hostile to me. It was just horrible. Since my complaint things seemed to esculate with the police. Ending up with me in custody. I've seen so much now. And it is rotten to the core. I get many won't believe me. I'm just interested in those who genuinely want to discuss police reform.

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