To think the police are useless?

[RainbowsAndCrystals]

In my 20s I've been around many people that have had bad experiences with them and say how useless they are.

Something happened to me a month ago and it was caught on cctv.

Firstly the police said I had to get the evidence myself. So I had to ask around for cctv ... very difficult when people don't want to be involved and you're someone with zero authority.

Now a month later and they still haven't bothered to look at the footage.

It's so disheartening and almost like they have sided with the criminals.

The trouble is there are bad eggs, (like in every organisation) power crazed, rascists etc. & I do find it frustrating that largely individuals are not held to account. Plus there is a culture of cover ups, Hillsborough, Ian Tomlinson, etc which means I will never fully trust the police.

I believe the police would be a force for good if my life was in danger but on the other hand I wouldn't make a complaint, as I think this would result in hassle. I was burgled as a student in 2003 & very little was done, so while cuts are undoubtedly having an effect it's not the only reason.

Id be interested to know what it was the op reported?

Looking back, I can't believe I didn't report it to be honest. I was just in such a state

Apologizes if I'm wrong but I took this to mean you should have reported the police for the way they spoke to you.
When they were dealing with two drunks trying to kill each other.
If someone was trying to kill YOU I'm sure you would be grateful to see a police officer.

My phone was stolen from my hand and the police were all over it and giving chase. They were never going to get the guy but they were clearly enjoying the sport. A motorist deliberately ran into the back of my husband's bike (two separate winesses with the reg number came forward) and the police didn't do a thing. I'm my mind being knocked from a bike is way more serious than having a phone stolen.
The one time I had to give a statement to the police, they paraphrased it so badly I had to ask them to rewrite it... that's pretty bad

You obviously didn't read my post about burglaries, Getout.

The tv makes people think crimes can be solved in an hour, the suspect will cough to the offence to the DCI who has gone to a random address on his own.

Watch 24 hours in police custody to get a slightly more realistic view.

Or ask for a ride along on a Friday night. You'll never say they're 'useless' again.

Bunny I have close friends in the Met so thanks for the advice.

And please point out where I said they were useless?

It's this attitude that pisses me off, one can appreciate what police officers do but still be critical of certain procedures.

Such a sweeping statement OP. May I suggest that you contact whomever is dealing with it and explain how you feel and how you can move forward with it.

What is good to see is that for the overwhelming majority of people here understand and are aware of the issues that we face on a daily basis.

I can only echo what the previous posters have said about the frightening lack of resources on the streets. I'd love to solve every crime but if there's a person threatening to jump off a bridge or a burglary in progress I have to prioritise my time.

I've saved lives, comforted bereaved families immediately after a loved ones death, been assaulted, spat at, verbally abused, broken up fights between men twice my size and these things are often on my own. At times I am very scared. Sometimes the stuff you know/see can keep you awake at night.

I only wish that the people that think we are useless could work a 10 hour shift and see the work that we do and the people that we come across. You'd realise that I, and my colleagues are definitely not useless.

To the peopke saying police are useless, if they weren't tgere you'd miss them. Theyre not paid enough, have nowhere near enough resources yet every day they're out there, looking after the public. Every call tgey go to, they risk their life, an officer from my local area was stabbed this weekend in the line of duty. They risk their lives, deal with tge most unimaginable shit and make us feel safe. If something happens to me I know the police know ehat to do. I was a victim of an assault and they were fab. The magistrates decison wasnt so good, but i couldnt fault the officers at all.

Its not like the 'good old days', cops are held to account, every actiom, search, etc has to be documented and justified. No longer is it threatening suspects (thankfully). Times have changed a lot and while there are mistakes made, no one is perfect. We the public only see certain things. How many videos of officers 'assaulting' suspects do we think are unedited and wholly truthful?

I thank every officer reading this. Thank you for making me feel safe in home, thank you for making me feel reassured just by your presence. Thank you for doing your job despite all the budget cuts and moaners. Some of us appreciate it

stillvicarinatutu Sun 01-Oct-17 23:57:40
i think we should just disband them. id happily work in tesco tbh. or id go back to dispensing specs. lets see how everyone gets on without them.
if you dont like us - dont call us. simple.

I agree with you entirely in that we should disband them. It's obvious they aren't fit for purpose. As for seeing how everyone gets on without you, well, you aren't there for us now, are you?

Yabu

I've had two significant involvements with the Police due to my OH's serious mental illness.

They were outstanding both times. Compassionate, professional.

ParkheadParadise

I was the one who called the police and yes I was glad that my friend was saved from my other friend and grateful to the police who did so. However, I do not think that I should have been subjected to bullying from other officers who accompanied them.

One particular woman who was obviously a bully made many of them stay behind with me instead of going to the scene of the incident which was 100ft away or so. So in the whole group that turned up, 2 went to save the man, and FOUR, yes FOUR, were ordered to stay, search my car, and breathalise me while this bully of a woman shouted at me for being upset about one of my friends trying to kill the other. I don't see why I shouldn't have reported that.

Waves to vicar

Think very carefully next time there is an election, do you want more of these cuts to public services? Yes? Then vote Tory.

waves back to colouring .x

Pretty negative experience of the police if I'm honest.

I was a victim of DV. Police were less than useless, basically sided with my Ex and told me I was making a fuss.

I got assaulted by a security guard outside a pub. I stopped a passing police officer. He told me to go home and sleep it off (I hadn't been drinking).

A friend was horribly stalked. The police were completely uninterested. She reported it about 20 times including one awful occasion where he followed her home, as she was opening her front door forced her in and imprisoned her for several hours...they didn't even take a fucking statement.

I've been burgled and my car vandalised. There was cctv of the latter clearly showing who did it. No police ever even attended.

Conversely I know a lot of people who have been stop/ searched, and prosecuted for tiny amounts of drugs (clearly for personal consumption). I'm not sure why that's more of a priority for the police than other crime?!

Yabvu.

The police I've dealt with through work, or met when walking home from work (unsociable hours so I stand out) have been professional, kind and have usually had a ready smile and a sense of humour despite the things I imagine they deal with day in, day out.

I don't believe they are useless. I believe they are undervalued, understaffed and underpaid. I believe that they get as frustrated with the justice system as the victims do.

I believe they are bloody marvellous.

MamaMotherMummy
I understand now from reading your reply.
Sorry that happened to you, sounds horrible.

From my own personal experience this thread has made me feel very emotional.
Sorry if i upset you ,that was never my intentions

I live in a town in America and you see police walking around, talking to residents, business owners and employees. A couple of police officers have helped me in the past with very mundane everyday stuff. This has never happened in England (don't know about Scotland, wales or Northern Ireland) and the only time I see the police is when they are responding to a major incident or threat.

This is why petty crime in the UK is now a way of life. Being broken into is nothing compared to someone being murdered, a stabbing, a major car accident and domestic violence as well as host of other crimes. There just aren't enough police. Personally I like the style of policing in my town here in America. The community relations side of it is excellent. They are very firm but fair. Yes it costs money. Our property taxes pay for the police and the bill would make most cry.

I think this varies so much from area to area, sadly.
I didn't know until I moved here that the police force in my area is supposed to be one of the worst in the country.

I believe that their funding was cut by around 50% last year.

That in itself would explain a lot.

I'm sorry that you've been through this, but I don't know how it can be made better. Maybe if they put council tax up a bit more per household, but so many people would have issue with this.

The state of the world nowadays.