Would you report a police officer flouting lockdown?

[Booksandwine80]

A PCSO who I know to say hello to (used to cover our area and also lives around here) is clearly flouting the lockdown rules and it’s really irritating me.

I saw her three weeks ago, walking her baby granddaughter in her pram-the daughter granddaughter and partner most definitely 100% don’t live in the same household.

Then, just today I’ve seen her walk past our house, with the daughter walking really closely side by side.

I’m shocked as she should know better shouldn’t she? Should I tell anyone?

[TataYello]

I'm so sick of people using this situation as an excuse to stick their oar in everyone else's business.

Sorry but I'm picturing you twitching your curtains every time someone walks past and jotting down their rule breaking in your note book.

I honestly haven't even clocked what any single one of my neighbours have been getting up to. Get a life.

[Sorryoo]

Also, and I know some are on this thread, would anyone actually feel OK saying here that they work in the emergency or healthcare services and they are socialising? (Obviously I mean over and above what is allowed currently etc etc etc)

Or other people saying this is OK, would they do it themselves working in these sectors?

I'm not being goady, I'm genuinely interested to know the answers.

The answers already on this thread are seriously making me think that I would really be reluctant and worried about using emergency services even if I really should do.

[Sorryoo]

What a cross post! @TataYello interested if you reply to mine...

[TataYello]

@Nicknacky I was once called a piglet by one of my parents neighbours!! (Dad is an officer). Never heard that one before or since!

[TataYello]

Well the fact is that OP has absolutely no idea about this woman's life or situation. She's no idea why she was caring for her granddaughter, or why she was out with her daughter.

I don't condone anyone having mass gatherings right now no but I equally wouldn't think it any of my business if I spotted a neighbour walking what I deemed to be a bit too close to someone or caring for their grandchild one time.

As a PP said, I've been less than two metres away from strangers before on my walks because it's physically impossible to be so all of the time and it's not law, it's guidance.

And let's be honest, the police aren't going to give a flying fuck about this even if OP were to report it. There are much bigger things going on than everyone being a tell tale on their neighbours every time they leave the house.

[BigTedInABoot]

would anyone actually feel OK saying here that they work in the emergency or healthcare services and they are socialising? (Obviously I mean over and above what is allowed currently etc etc etc) .

My Dad, he is a police officer. I went and stayed at his house the other week.

He lives on his own and has struggled with mental health issues in the past. His dog, who he'd been alone in the house with for the past 16 years and who'd really gotten him through some hard times, was dying.

So yeah I went and stayed, I lay on the floor with her and made her comfortable when he couldn't because it was too hard, I gave him a hug when she passed and he asked me what was he going to do now, I stayed up all night and we talked about her and what a good dog she was, and then me and my husband buried her and planted some flowers in his garden afterwards.

You'll probably think it's 'just a dog' but she was his best friend, she was his companion at home and there's no way I was going to be guilted into letting him deal with that on his own so I didn't and he, an emergency services worker, didn't stop me either.

I'm sure his neighbours probably had a right good bitch about it when I pulled up on his drive and didn't leave for a couple of days but whatever, they don't know our individual situation and I don't feel bad.

I've done everything right before and since then, but hell would freeze over before I let my Dad deal with that on his own.

[Leicester5]

It's up to you, but I say don't report. I can understand the frustration at not being able to see friends and family yourself.

I dislike the term pigs.

The police were excellent this week when I called them to check on a family flare up in a different part of the country (lockdown tensions) as I couldn't do it myself. They diffused the situation and made a referral for high anxiety for one of my relatives, they're here to help. I'm grateful to them.

But back to original OP I don't think I'd report anyone unless it's a wild party.

[Nicknacky]

Tatayello Funnily enough my dad was also a police officer so I got it through school too 😂

[AlovelybitofsquirrelJackie]

I have heard that the many police professional standards departments are sick to the back teeth of officers being reported by the public for perceived breaches of guidance. It's slowing them down dealing with actual bent coppers, police officers perpetrating DV, abuse of a position of trust and other such serious matters. I'd love for my police officer best mate to flout the guidelines and come round my garden for a glass of wine while our children (who are in school together all week) play on the trampoline but she is worried about being reported so we chat at the school gates and FaceTime instead.

[Booksandwine80]

Good god, doesn’t anyone ever read the full thread anymore?

[Nicknacky]

AlovelybitofsquirrelJackie Not to mention that we have been warned that the media have offered payments of up to 2k for photos of the police beaching guidlines (in uniform obviously)

[RoosterPie]

@sorryoo

I’m sorry you’re having to shield. It remains the case that after lockdown is lifted you are likely to come into contact with emergency services at a time they’re allowed to see people. However no I don’t think socialising with friends is ok and your NDN is out of order.

Being related to someone doesn’t make them less of a risk but if you’re socialising with lots of different people that is a bigger risk than only seeing your parents.

However the point of the thread responses has been generally people don’t know why someone is seeing a friend or family member. It may not be to “socialise”, there’s often going to be more to it.

And genuinely, after 9 weeks of lockdown and sacrifice by the whole country to try to ensure the NHS isn’t overwhelmed and those vulnerable to severe covid can get treatment, do I think it’s ok to see one’s parents for a socially distant cup of tea outside? Yes, I do. Do I think it’s ok to just start socialising with lots of different households? No.

[Sorryoo]

@Nicknacky would you personally socialise outside the current limits?

I promise I won't try and find out where you live and lurk outside your house with a telephoto lens and I'm a very long term MNer nor a journalist, nor a goady fucker  but as someone with a very high level of risk I'm concerned about this issue - which you could probably understand?

It really genuinely would make me feel worried about any contact with emergency services and very reluctant indeed to contact them - which seems to be an issue from the news reports anyway of people not seeking help when they should.

@BigTedInABoot thank you for answering the question. I'm sorry for your dad's loss. I won't pretend it doesn't concern me that people do this. I know people say mind your own business but as a member of the general public (that sounds so pompous, I do apologise!) it does concern us, especially shielded people who have to be so careful with so many restrictions. It worries me that I have to be so strict and not see my family when I'm so desperate to yet other people I may have no choice but to come into contact with are increasing my risk.

[AreYouAchinForSomeBacon]

other people I may have no choice but to come into contact with are increasing my risk

When you say 'people you may have no choice but to come into contact with' are you referring to emergency services, police, hospital staff etc..?

Because I guess I'd probably assume that a police officer probably isn't the safest person to be in contact with at the moment whether or not they'd met with a family member for a walk a few days ago. They are still out, working in the general public, the police are probably dealing with lots of people who don't really give a toss about social distancing in their line of work, so I wouldn't expect them to be particularly 'safe' whether or not they meet a family member for a walk.

[Nicknacky]

Sorryoo Not but that’s got nothing to do with me being a police officer. I still wouldn’t even if I didn’t work.

But emergency services are in contact with all sorts of people during their working hours, so to be honest who they are in contact with outside wouldn’t make much difference. For example, my friend hasn’t been out the house for weeks, therefore if I did see her I wouldn’t be more exposed than I was before I put my foot in the door. (If you see what I mean)?

[Sorryoo]

That is true bacon but I think the emergency services still have a duty (see - pompous again!) to at least minimise risk.

My HCP neighbour will presumably (well that's a whole other thread!) be wearing PPE at work yet with her friend in the garden she isn't, and they are not distancing probably because they're pissed. Tomorrow no doubt she will be going into work with vulnerable people. Do I report her? Who to? The police officer who is doing the same?

Personally I'm much more likely to come into contact with a paramedic than a police officer (well at least I hope that's the case!) and they are dealing with the most vulnerable people so I think, maybe I am in the minority and it seems so from this thread, they should be minimising risk not deliberately exposing themselves to more - for their own sake too!

It does seem I am in the minority here though so I wonder if it's because I am such high risk which makes me more worried?

[NoMorePoliticsPlease]

There is no need, just look after yourself and your own. it really isnt that important. They only need Most of us to do it

[Nicknacky]

Sorryoo I’m confused as to what you are worried about. Do you mean you don’t like the idea of them socialising with many people (which they should be anyway) or doing things which are perfectly permitted?

[RoosterPie]

It does seem I am in the minority here though so I wonder if it's because I am such high risk which makes me more worried?

I think so and I think that’s completely fair enough for you to feel that way. I think we all look at things from our own circumstances. I think people who are at low risk and haven’t seen their family for 2 months probably think if they can see their mum outside in public why can’t they see her in their garden.

The OP was about someone seeing her daughter and grand daughter outdoors. So I can see why she felt that was low risk, and something she felt keen to do.

[Nicknacky]

Shouldn’t!! Not should 🤦🏻‍♀️

[iamapixie]

No.
Lockdown never needed 100% compliance to be effective.
Most people are complying and lockdown has worked within its stated remit (which was, at the point lockdown was imposed, to flatten the curve, not to eradicate).
There is a huge risk to society, already fractured by Brexit, becoming even more unpleasant and divided if we all keep 'shopping' each other.

[Sorryoo]

Nicknacky (I have no anyone doing things that are permitted by law obviously, this is about things currently not allowed) . The original premise of the thread was if it was reasonable for OP to want to report a police officer breaking the rules of lockdown (obviously developed into general discussion and it didn't seem to be the case anyway).

The vast majority of the responses are along the lines of (and I quote) "get a life, you interfering nosy busybody curtain twitching self appointed stasi" even if the people breaking the lockdown rules (and I mean fine worthy behaviour not just guidelines eg socialising with more than one etc etc etc) were police/emergency services.

The example I gave of my neighbour who is a HCP and socialising (at a level against the rules), I personally think is unreasonable given she works in a care home caring for elderly and vulnerable people. I'm sure everyone is aware of the horrific number of deaths in this sector.

To me it's completely unacceptable (I would hope it was to most people but I'm wrong based on this thread) and one of my points is - if she was reported to the police would they actually give a fuck if they don't have a problem breaking the rules themselves (and some people here are).

Look, I am not some kind of follow every rule ever made and never complain kind of person AT ALL. But. As a shielded person with a much higher risk of death I would really hope people would not knowingly cause more risk to others because of their behaviour and also that we could rely on the police to enforce this. Whether it's fair or not we do expect people responsible for enforcing a particular law, to uphold it themselves eg you don't want a police officer to be caught drink driving. It makes them a giant hypocrite as well as a giant twat!

So this is my worry - that people here seem to think it's acceptable for members of the emergency services not to abide by the laws and/or enforce them. So my neighbour has her party today and goes to work in her care home tomorrow - and for me to think she is BU makes me a nosy curtain twitching twat and there is no point reporting her as the police officer who deals with it isn't abiding by the law themselves or enforcing it.

So that's my worry. As someone who is more likely to die - therefore living a fucking shit life for the foreseeable and seeing no one and nothing outside my four walls - I don't want to then be put at a higher risk by people who are meant to protect us - and the people who are meant to enforce that protection.

The irony of a thread the other day about a shielding woman being called a selfish irresponsible stupid person who shouldn't expect a hospital bed for choosing not to isolate seems particularly painful in light of this thread.

[AlovelybitofsquirrelJackie]

@Nicknacky that doesn't surprise me one it that the 'media' are offering that. Parasites! My bessie is CID so maybe she should come to my garden after all 😂
My daughter is a police officer too in another part of the country so I won't see her for ages either. She's exposed to all kinds of vermin who think it's a laugh to cough at her and her colleagues. She lives in a flat so has no access to an outdoor space yet darent visit a friend from her team who has a garden.
I think teachers and police have the rawest deal of most public sector. I'm health so I get access to plenty ppe (eventually), another friend is a fire fighter and he says nothing is getting through his BA kit

[AreYouAchinForSomeBacon]

I do see your point @Sorryoo.

I guess to me there is a big difference between my neighbour has her party today and goes to work in her care home tomorrow and someone walking with one member of another household (which is within the guidelines) and looking after their grandchild, for reasons unknown to us.

I may report a party, but I wouldn't think to report someone walking a bit too close to someone else on a walk.

[Nicknacky]

Sorryoo You are also making the classic mistake of confusing guidance with law. The police can’t enforce guidance.