More of a WWYD - inappropriate behaviour from community support officers?

[dreamofstrawberriesandcream]

Yesterday I was walking the dog when I bumped into a friend. We were standing talking when we heard some very loud shouting. A man was standing in his doorway talking to two female Community Support Officers. The gist appeared to be that someone had complained about him and he was irate, but not actually angry or abusive.

However, one of the CSOs was really wound up and angry, calling him a "fat bastard" and telling him to "get a job, get a job." At one point, both of them walked back towards their car (which was a police car) - the man said something like, "Oh, go and arrest some proper criminals!" and the woman walked back in a really confrontational way and was shouting "Say that again! Say it again, fat bastard!"

Um - AIBU to think this is completely unacceptable? I appreciate it must be a hard job and the man didn't exactly do himself any favours but all the same - I am a teacher and wouldn't dare speak to a child like that (not that I would anyway, but I would lose my job.)

Should I complain, and who should I complain to?

That is outrageous, I would report them to the local Safer Neighbourhood Team lead officer. They should lose their job for that quite frankly (also a teacher!)

I would most definitely complain.Totally out of order.

I'm sure if you phoned your local police station they can tell you how to go about it.

I would probably complain, although I would reserve judgement because I hadn't heard the whole conversation...

However, from what you've heard the CSO's were out of order. My starting point would be the local station and asking the same question you just asked... good luck.

Even if the guy was obnoxious, vile, and a fat bastard, the CSO's shouldn't have lowered themselves to that level and obviously aren't well enough trained/are the wrong type to be doing the job!

unprofessional!
Defo report it. Do you have a local police station...could you google your nearest police clinic? (we have these up north, not sure if they are anywhere else)

That actually happened?

I know - my friend did say that perhaps he had provoked them, but I get provoked so often at work and would never, ever address a child in that way.

Thanks for your help. I'll call the police station. Will it be open tomorrow?

Olympia - honestly, I wish I could prove it.

i don't care how provoked they were, people should be able to have confidence in the police and auxiliary services. report them. there'll be some kind of police-watch organisation, i used to know the name but i've forgotten.
i had some problems with local youths a few years ago - the police told me to 'get a gun'.

Yes, do complain, this is unacceptable.

yanbu, also it ridiculous imo when police arrset people for swearing at them.
what a waster of time and money, suppose the police force attracts alot of undesarables to work for them.they have a good old share of bad apples

This man wasn't a child though. And PCSOs are volunteers, not paid professionals like you - you need to stop comparing them to yourself. I would stay out of it because you don't know the full story.

They don't have what it takes to do that job I'm afraid. Like police officers they are required to remain calm and show restraint at all times. They were out of their depths from the sounds of it and the fact they seemed totally wound up impairs their judgement to deal with the situation effectively.

Def report.

This officer needs to know that name calling like that is also potentially risky.

Report them - regardless of whether the man was being abusive they are Police Community Support Officers and as such should be beyond reproach and professional.

I'm sure if you give the time, date and where you were as well as a description it won't be too difficult to find out who they were.

Pcsos are not volunteers.

They're paid to do a job, and they were abusing the trust the community puts it them. I would report, phone/go to the police station.

Do you think so Freddos?

In fairness I do teach secondary so while I accept they are children they aren't 5 year olds having tantrums, either.

I can't help but think that even if they volunteer, they must realise they aren't going to meet savoury characters? Aside from anything, that could have turned really nasty. The man was really quite calm considering how much mouth one of the women was giving him.

PCSO's are paid, they are just not fully trained police officers. They're paid pretty well too (I'm friends with one).

So yes OP, you should certainly report. No professional should speak to someone like that, whatever they are doing.

Outraged - In our area PCSOs aren't volunteers (maybe they are in others?) - here it's Special Constables who have the same powers or arrest as police officers and wear the same clothing and have to work at least 16 hours a month. If a SC swore and behaved like that, I would complain about them too as not being paid is no excuse.

PCSO's are not volunteers. They are paid officers (albeit lower level and fewer powers than "real" police).
They should have been trained to handle provocative situations and defuse tensions, not escalate a situation.
Definitely report. You can dial 101 to be routed to local non emergency police.

They wore a uniform and there was a police car outside the property. I only knew they weren't the police because their uniform said "community support officer" on the back.

Just rang and reported it. They're ringing me back within 4 hours as it's had to be taken down as an official complaint scared

Ok, I got mixed up. Sorry. Who are the pretend police type people that I'm thinking of then?

outraged your thinking of Specials

• you're

Thing is, even if they were volunteers they have a code of practice/standards to adhere too and I bet you that behaviour isn't in it.

Even if you are unpaid, you can still be representing a group or organisation and get into trouble/ be booted out if you don't behave appropriately.