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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

The police force attracts psychos.

69 replies

MerlinsBeard1 · 11/04/2025 12:35

After reading the most disgusting article the other day:
I was a NSW Police officer for ten years. This is the sick truth of what I saw... and why I warn my loved ones: 'Don't leave them alone with my corpse' | Daily Mail Online

Plus the endless other unacceptable incidents of late, not only in the UK but worldwide, AIBU to deduce that this profession in particular attracts psychos?

My trust in the Police is at rock bottom.

I was a cop. I tell loved ones 'don't leave them alone with my corpse'

Two former police officers claim they were bullied out of the force after blowing the whistle on shocking allegations.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14557639/NSW-Police-officer-ten-years-corpse.html

OP posts:
Newfun · 11/04/2025 13:32

Goody2ShoesAndTheFilthyBeast · 11/04/2025 12:54

The behaviour being described should be bashed. It's revolting. It's inexcusable. Finding out why this shit seems to be so widespread is very important because such people should have no place on a police force.

Yes, and the reaso these threads appear (and teacher ones) is that those in the profession seem determined not to acknowledge that not every police officer/teacher/nurse is a hero.

DenholmElliot11 · 11/04/2025 13:34

These modern AI, robot recruitment methods aren't working are they?

Jaehee · 11/04/2025 13:36

LondonSamantha · 11/04/2025 12:47

I'd argue that focusing on the Police aspect gives them better headlines than any other jobs, because people love hating the Police, it sells doesn't it. Unsure about prevalent but definitely sells more in the news than if they wrote about other careers

The difference is, police are allowed to handcuff you. They're allowed to conduct body searches and use 'reasonable force'. They're allowed to carry weapons.

BlondiePortz · 11/04/2025 13:37

Hellskitchen24 · 11/04/2025 13:29

Or nurses and doctors, normally at least one thread on here slagging them off. Funny how it’s always the fault of the people who teach our kids, police our streets and look after our sick family and friends in hospital who are the dregs of society. The people who worked throughout Covid. Funnily enough all massively unstaffed, underpaid and under appreciated too. Whereas Karen who works from home in a non entity marketing job is an absolute saint.

Or from people who haven't worked a day in their life

ThinWomansBrain · 11/04/2025 13:40

the ones that have truly presented a higher quota of weirdos are special police officers - have worked with a few over the years - some just v odd, others spectacularly creepy.

User5274959 · 11/04/2025 13:40

I'm sorry I haven't read the whole thread.

But I do think there's an argument that no one in their "right mind" would seek a career in the police due to the crap they have to deal with (both from the public/plugging the gap left by other services like mental health/and from within).

Therefore it follows it will attract certain types of people, some of whom are sociopaths/those lacking any empathy to sensitivity or those looking for a power trip.

Newfun · 11/04/2025 13:41

I don't know who these people are , talking about "Karens" or people who "haven't worked a day in their lives" but if this is the kind of contempt police officers have for the people they're supposed to be serving, is it surprising they're not always held in high regard?

User5274959 · 11/04/2025 13:41

I think decent folk entering the police are very very brave.

Pluvia · 11/04/2025 13:53

MerlinsBeard1 · 11/04/2025 12:43

The Stanford Prison Experiment discovered how quickly power can change a person.

The Stanford Prison experiment has been widely criticised, debunked and accused of being fraudulent. It really doesn't support your case.

Isthiswhatmenthink · 11/04/2025 14:05

MerlinsBeard1 · 11/04/2025 12:42

This is true. It does seem prevalent amongst the police though.

It really is. I wouldn’t never have had a relationship with someone in the police.

dick27 · 11/04/2025 14:30

I used to think cop bashing was for conspiracy theorists and cranks, then I was a victim of crime and now I get it. Utterly useless and corrupt liars - in my dealings with a fair few of them over the last 4 years. Gobsmackingly inept.

MerlinsBeard1 · 11/04/2025 14:56

DenholmElliot11 · 11/04/2025 13:05

They need to tighten up their recruitment procedures and shut those fucking whattsapp groups down.

100%.

OP posts:
MerlinsBeard1 · 11/04/2025 14:59

Hellskitchen24 · 11/04/2025 13:29

Or nurses and doctors, normally at least one thread on here slagging them off. Funny how it’s always the fault of the people who teach our kids, police our streets and look after our sick family and friends in hospital who are the dregs of society. The people who worked throughout Covid. Funnily enough all massively unstaffed, underpaid and under appreciated too. Whereas Karen who works from home in a non entity marketing job is an absolute saint.

Can't say I have ever seen people slagging off Drs or nurses.

OP posts:
MerlinsBeard1 · 11/04/2025 15:06

BlondiePortz · 11/04/2025 13:37

Or from people who haven't worked a day in their life

And how could you know that? Are people who don't work not allowed to criticise bad policing and toxic cultures within certain professions?

OP posts:
AquaPeer · 11/04/2025 15:08

Of course the police attract psychos. It gives them access to vulnerable people and gives them the power they crave. It’s nothing new and comes back to the question of who polices the police?

Gundogday · 11/04/2025 15:10

LondonSamantha · 11/04/2025 12:47

I'd argue that focusing on the Police aspect gives them better headlines than any other jobs, because people love hating the Police, it sells doesn't it. Unsure about prevalent but definitely sells more in the news than if they wrote about other careers

Yes, I agree.

LBFseBrom · 11/04/2025 15:11

User5274959 · 11/04/2025 13:41

I think decent folk entering the police are very very brave.

So do I, they'll be entering a very difficult workplace culture to navigate. However we need decent police.

Doingtheboxerbeat · 11/04/2025 15:17

User5274959 · 11/04/2025 13:40

I'm sorry I haven't read the whole thread.

But I do think there's an argument that no one in their "right mind" would seek a career in the police due to the crap they have to deal with (both from the public/plugging the gap left by other services like mental health/and from within).

Therefore it follows it will attract certain types of people, some of whom are sociopaths/those lacking any empathy to sensitivity or those looking for a power trip.

I agree 💯. See also people who really want to be famous - something is lacking when you need that much validation from strangers and being hassled in public.

mumofoneAlonebutokay · 11/04/2025 15:18

Yeah it does tbh. You might get the odd one who wants to serve their community but I'd say that its mostly weirdos who want to bully others

Same with immigration officers etc

That said, i wouldn't call ghostbusters in the event of a crime - you'd just hope you get a reasonably level headed officer if you need one

Wishyouwerehere50 · 11/04/2025 15:22

Hellskitchen24 · 11/04/2025 13:29

Or nurses and doctors, normally at least one thread on here slagging them off. Funny how it’s always the fault of the people who teach our kids, police our streets and look after our sick family and friends in hospital who are the dregs of society. The people who worked throughout Covid. Funnily enough all massively unstaffed, underpaid and under appreciated too. Whereas Karen who works from home in a non entity marketing job is an absolute saint.

We all generalise and it's important to caveat I think. Which I don't always do.

I worked on a few Police projects with sex workers in London. I was a civilian employee. I'd say 8 out of the 10 police officers kind of scared me. I was only 25, very naive, yet I recall thinking and feeling that they were, well very much wronguns.

I've spent significant amounts of time in hospital, very sick and vulnerable ( dependant, bed bound, useless family so alone). That was my second awakening. The number of very scary individuals in healthcare I've experienced over the years has really turned my world upside down. To know so many people are out there. Compassion fatigue is one thing, others were something slightly further along. Nurses and doctors; something not right, from cruel, one was absolutely sociopathic and very scary. I'm what you would call a compliant, respectful and polite patient btw.

I recall one time where I loved the nurses. They were a group dedicated to supporting me. They were mostly Portuguese. They were just wonderful caring people, nearly all of them. I've met some great nurses and mostly HCAs were great, being worked to the brink. Less power so maybe that's why they've always been the nicest.

I would like to find a way to depart this world before I ever face a care home or anything near that. When you have direct experience of people with power, this problem is apparent. Not all, but a scary enough number. It's terrifying, believe it.

CarpetKnees · 11/04/2025 15:28

Serencwtch · 11/04/2025 13:20

The Daily mail article is about the police in Australia. I've never visited Australia or had any contact with the police over there.

I have unfortunately had many contacts with Police in this country & virtually all have been hardworking, empathetic and caring.

They have one of the toughest jobs in the country. Imagine knocking on someone's door out of the blue to tell them their child has been killed then going to another job to be assaulted, sworn at, spat at then on to another to talk down someone suicidal then on to non-negotiable & non paid overtime to be first on scene to a fatal road collision.

All the time under immense scrutiny from public who thinks they would do better in any of those situations & all the time dealing with ever diminishing resources.

There will always be a level of arrogance among a minority of officers & there should be robust procedures to deal with that.

I have also had many contacts with NHS staff in this country & found repeated failures, lies & cover ups.

The Daily mail will bash the police & will put our NHS 'angels' on a pedestal because it sells papers to people who want to read those articles.

Well said.

MerlinsBeard1 · 11/04/2025 15:34

Indeed the article I attached initially is about NSW, Australia. Which is why I added that it appears to be a worldwide problem. Here are but a few incidents I have managed to find just from looking for 5 mins! This rotten predatory/sexist culture is prolific, especially amongst Thames Valley and The Met.

Ex-Northamptonshire Police officer charged with rape and kidnap - BBC News
Serving Met Police officer charged with four counts of rape
Police officer arrested and jailed for actions to crime victim - Manchester Evening News
Met officer charged with sexually assaulting three men and a woman | Metropolitan Police
Former Devon and Cornwall police officer who raped woman jailed - BBC News
Met Police officer sacked after sexual assault allegation | The Standard
Two Metropolitan Police officers charged with sexual assault - BBC News
Senior Met Police officer charged with attempted rape and sexual assault | The Independent
Met Police officer sacked over sexual assault allegation - BBC News
Thames Valley Police: Officers disciplined for sexual misconduct - BBC News

Of course, no woman will ever forget the Wayne Couzens case either.

A yellow brick building with "crown and county courts" written on the side. There is blue skies above.

Ex-Northamptonshire Police officer charged with rape and kidnap

The court is told the offences took place between 2023 and 2025.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cp8kvd4gn8zo

OP posts:
Wishyouwerehere50 · 11/04/2025 15:42

I don't know if we have the specific details but I watched a few documentaries about this case. Beautiful young lady 🙏.

The scary highlights in addition to that hideous creature were references to the WhatsApp group chats with a number of other officers. Horrible. There was a suggestion he knew the Police were about to turn up and question him at home I recall. So another officer would have tipped him off.

I can't remember if the flashing his disgusting penis at McDonald's incident was reported. Surely not, surely a police officer wouldn't be allowed to flash their little wiener and continue working? 😬

Yep I believe a scary proportion will be wronguns on varying scales. Most at the lowest level will have misogynistic views in some form imo.

Middleagedstriker · 11/04/2025 15:49

Tvp123 · 11/04/2025 13:23

DH is American and he says it is way worse over there than here in terms of that. Thinks our police force is fantastic in comparison.

Like saying Johnson wasn't as bad as Trump. Low low bar

MerlinsBeard1 · 11/04/2025 16:25

Wishyouwerehere50 · 11/04/2025 15:42

I don't know if we have the specific details but I watched a few documentaries about this case. Beautiful young lady 🙏.

The scary highlights in addition to that hideous creature were references to the WhatsApp group chats with a number of other officers. Horrible. There was a suggestion he knew the Police were about to turn up and question him at home I recall. So another officer would have tipped him off.

I can't remember if the flashing his disgusting penis at McDonald's incident was reported. Surely not, surely a police officer wouldn't be allowed to flash their little wiener and continue working? 😬

Yep I believe a scary proportion will be wronguns on varying scales. Most at the lowest level will have misogynistic views in some form imo.

Again the fact he was known to be a creep amongst his colleagues who apparently found it funny shows the culture we are dealing with.
Wayne Couzens: PCs in WhatsApp group with Sarah Everard killer found guilty - BBC News

He was given the nickname of 'The Rapist' amongst his fellow police officers, 3 years prior to being employed by The Met. And yes, he got away with flashing at a McDonald's worker.

Wayne Couzens nicknamed ‘The Rapist’ three years before he was hired by Met | The Standard

Joel Borders and Jonathon Cobban

Wayne Couzens: PCs in WhatsApp group with Sarah Everard killer found guilty

Two Met PCs shared grossly offensive messages on WhatsApp with Sarah Everard's killer Wayne Couzens.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-surrey-62981675

OP posts:
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