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Original poster

Do you still trust the police?

380 replies

Soubriquet · 12/08/2023 18:38

When I got with my dh 11 years ago, he would laugh when I said I trusted the police. That they were someone in a position of power, who I felt I could trust. He never tried to sway me, just said, ok..you’ll see.

Now…I don’t. After everything they has happened over the last few years..Rotherham, Wayne Couzens, the girl with autism and other shit like that, I do not trust them at all.

OP posts:
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6
DriftingDora · 14/08/2023 14:25

DriftingDora · 14/08/2023 13:38

What does 'have engaged and interactions' mean? What is the point of this question? Are you implying that there is a criteria (and very narrow channel) for being allowed to comment on police behaviour? And how much experience of other countries policing do you have (as per your other post)?

Show quote history

I notice that you have only replied to one of the questions I asked...

DriftingDora · 14/08/2023 14:37

Poorlilthing · 14/08/2023 11:51

@DriftingDora

have you had much call to have engaged and interactions with the police?

I notice you only replied to one of my questions in my reply....

DriftingDora · Today 13:38

What does 'have engaged and interactions' mean? What is the point of this question? Are you implying that there is a criteria (and very narrow channel) for being allowed to comment on police behaviour? And how much experience of other countries policing do you have (as per your other post)?

Poorlilthing · 14/08/2023 22:03

Forgive me - but I just can’t be arsed @DriftingDora 😂

SgtPercyTwentyman · 14/08/2023 23:43

SerendipityJane · 14/08/2023 13:23

That's an interesting side road to travel.

Who are "the police" ? Do we take it to mean serving and warranted officers only ? Which while it reduces the number of bad people in total might drive up the ratio of bad/good.

Or do we mean "anyone whose role represents a particular police force*". For example the comedy desk "officer" I encountered a while ago who didn't know that a V5 doesn't prove ownership.

OK, for the sake of this thread, I will contain my comments to serving officers only. They can have those data breaches on me.

Show quote history

To avoid confusion, by "police" I meant sworn and warrant card carrying officers with powers of arrest (including Special Constables). That leaves out civillian employees and Community Support Officers.

DriftingDora · 15/08/2023 08:20

Poorlilthing · 14/08/2023 22:03

Forgive me - but I just can’t be arsed @DriftingDora 😂

No, what you really mean is that you're unable to answer the questions. 'Cop out' seems to be appropriate. 😀

Poorlilthing · 15/08/2023 08:53

DriftingDora · 15/08/2023 08:20

No, what you really mean is that you're unable to answer the questions. 'Cop out' seems to be appropriate. 😀

Show quote history

Yep, that’s what I meant 😂

DriftingDora · 16/08/2023 08:52

Even more of Britain's "finest". The recruitment and training are REALLY working well, aren't they?

Popworld · 16/08/2023 09:32

I dont judge the majority by the actions of the minority.

Imagine if we started doing that with other groups of people...

HunterHearstHelmsley · 16/08/2023 09:47

I haven't read the full thread.

I called the police on 9th October last year after a crime was committed against me. They still haven't come back to me, I've called, emailed etc and nothing. I made an official complaint and was told that my complaint wasn't valid.

However, my neighbour called the police and told them I'd stolen a parcel of hers (I hadn't) and they were out to me on the same day.

No, I don't trust the police. I think they're pretty useless generally. I probably wouldn't bother reporting a crime again because what's the point? Nothing will be done. I just end up more stressed and upset.

ShinyYellowTeapot · 16/08/2023 10:23

Popworld · 16/08/2023 09:32

I dont judge the majority by the actions of the minority.

Imagine if we started doing that with other groups of people...

But being a police officer isn't a protected characteristic. It's a choice to do a certain job that is increasingly carrying a certain reputation in the light of formal inquiries into different forces, and objective reports about crimes committed by serving officers.

Popworld · 16/08/2023 10:42

ShinyYellowTeapot · 16/08/2023 10:23

But being a police officer isn't a protected characteristic. It's a choice to do a certain job that is increasingly carrying a certain reputation in the light of formal inquiries into different forces, and objective reports about crimes committed by serving officers.

Show quote history

So it's only a law stopping you from judging the whole group of people based on a minority within that group

Interesting

ShinyYellowTeapot · 16/08/2023 11:12

Popworld · 16/08/2023 10:42

So it's only a law stopping you from judging the whole group of people based on a minority within that group

Interesting

Show quote history

Not sure how you inferred that from my post (perhaps i misinterpreted yours), and giving the benefit of the doubt that your question here is genuine, but: no, it's not.

SerendipityJane · 16/08/2023 13:01

Popworld · 16/08/2023 09:32

I dont judge the majority by the actions of the minority.

Imagine if we started doing that with other groups of people...

When the majority can carry guns and remove peoples heads without comeback, I think some caution is only sensible.

DriftingDora · 16/08/2023 13:04

Popworld · 16/08/2023 09:32

I dont judge the majority by the actions of the minority.

Imagine if we started doing that with other groups of people...

Anyone who hasn't been living under a stone for the past couple of years will have noticed that there are inquiries being made into a number of Police Forces, plus crimes which have been committed by police officers currently serving (Wayne Couzens was one). Plus public dissatisfaction on forums such as this one - and others.

If only just some of the reports on here of police reluctance to take action are true, then they are still too many. Add this to what I've mentioned above and something's very rotten. And don't get me started on the things that happened during Cressida Dick's period in the Top Job. Meanwhile, the public see the police finding the resources when it comes to strip-searching schoolgirls, but not finding them to thoroughly investigate grooming gangs.

Avoiding the truth doesn't make it go away - a root and branch investigation into the police is long, long overdue, recruitment and training needs a complete overhaul because they 'ain't working, and there needs to be much more accountability at the top. The Met. seem to replace one incompetent with another in the Top Job - this one could waffle for England.

SerendipityJane · 16/08/2023 13:12

a root and branch investigation into the police is long, long overdue

And of course all such investigations are run by ... the police.

People should be aware that when the Met were under investigation (Operation Countryman) the investigating force refused to be based in London

In August 1978, officers began investigations into corruption within the London police services. The unit was initially accommodated at Camberwell police station in south London, but following attempts to interfere with the team's documents, records and evidence, it was moved to Godalming Police Station in Surrey, outside the Metropolitan Police District.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Countryman

Operation Countryman - Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Countryman

newnamethanks · 16/08/2023 14:51

Pick up a newspaper Popworld today's paper, any title. There are at least 3 dodgy police stories in print, just the latest in the very long line of criminal activity in the police force. Instead of rushing to defend the indefensible, perhaps you should ask yourself how it's possible that such criminal infiltration has happened and been so tolerated and normalised?

DriftingDora · 16/08/2023 16:42

SerendipityJane · 16/08/2023 13:12

a root and branch investigation into the police is long, long overdue

And of course all such investigations are run by ... the police.

People should be aware that when the Met were under investigation (Operation Countryman) the investigating force refused to be based in London

In August 1978, officers began investigations into corruption within the London police services. The unit was initially accommodated at Camberwell police station in south London, but following attempts to interfere with the team's documents, records and evidence, it was moved to Godalming Police Station in Surrey, outside the Metropolitan Police District.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Countryman

True. It's the old saying that 'the police are policed by the police'. It it any wonder the organisation is not fit for purpose (some might say 'rotten to the core')?

TheCyclingGorilla · 16/08/2023 23:44

I deal with the British Transport Police through my job in transport and they are useless. At a meeting to discuss how useless they were, they defended themselves by saying stuff like "the threshold for the CPS wasn't met" and "we have scarce resources". Erm, the train operators and TfL PAY FOR THEM so where's the money going?

My colleague told me a story of a mentally Ill man brandishing a knife threatening to stab people at his station. 999 was called and the BTP said they couldn't send anyone because it "wasn't a priority"! So my colleague closed the station, non-stopped the trains and waited in the old ticket office. Even our highest managers said it was a disgrace.

And don't get me started on the Met...

VashtaNerada · 17/08/2023 02:51

@TheCyclingGorilla Do you think BTP
are lying about the CPS and resources? It is hard to get cases to court and the government has cut funding to all public services. It’s a real shame that your partnership working has broken down to this extent.

CrazyFrogDingDing · 17/08/2023 07:54

Never have, never will.
ACAB.

DriftingDora · 17/08/2023 09:14

newnamethanks · 16/08/2023 14:51

Pick up a newspaper Popworld today's paper, any title. There are at least 3 dodgy police stories in print, just the latest in the very long line of criminal activity in the police force. Instead of rushing to defend the indefensible, perhaps you should ask yourself how it's possible that such criminal infiltration has happened and been so tolerated and normalised?

This, in bucketloads. I think it's safe to say that anyone trying to defend them has probably been a cave-dweller for at least the past three years, is a police officer or relative of same, or someone in power trying to pretend all is well, whilst admiring the fairies at the bottom of the garden.

iloveeverykindofcat · 18/08/2023 05:36

I feel like a lot of people who trust them haven't had many dealings with them up close. The racism and misogyny is institutional and deep. Once my brother and I were in London with a white friend. My brother was subjected to a "random" stop and search. The white friend said,
"Why?"
The cop said, "What do you mean?"
The friend said, "Why him?"
The cop said, "It's random."
The friend said, "No, why him? I want to know. Why not me, or that guy, or that other guy? Tell the truth, why him?"
Meanwhile my brother is muttering, "leave it mate, just leave it, it's alright," and I'm shitting myself, thinking we're all getting arrested in a minute, the cop started getting defensive and his partner joined it, it was a horrible situation and ended up with my poor brother emptying his bag in front of everyone on the street going, "Look I'm not carrying anything," etc, as though he should have to justify himself.....

I also have a different friend who has a police record for punching a cop.

The cop was sexually assaulting his girlfriend at the time, during a protest. I saw it with my own eyes. He groped her and she screamed. But of course all his mates backed him up and said it was reasonable restraint etc. So now my friend has a record.

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