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Legal matters

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you have any legal concerns we suggest you consult a solicitor.

Is this a police matter or a civil matter

96 replies

ixqic · 30/06/2014 19:03

I suspect someone I work with has written a letter of complaint about me pretending to be a member of the public to get me into trouble at work. In short, I work with children/vulnerable adults so the implications for me could have been significant.

In short it has become evidence in a disciplinary hearing which has already happened and which has been dismissed.

I think I now have evidence which seems to confirm my suspicion and I want to know where I stand.

Where ought to I go next? I know I can go to my union with my suspicion but I wonder if going to the police is also a possibility.

Thanks in advance for reading and replying.

OP posts:
settingsitting · 08/07/2014 08:49

It always disturbs me when posters get the law wrong but advise anyway.
I dont know who is right and who is wrong but someone here is wrong.

AmateurDad · 08/07/2014 08:49

I never mentioned fraud - not once. This is the problem you find when people who don't know what they are talking about weigh in with such matters. I don't wish to "play the man" (or ball) but I doubt you are a criminal lawyer, Nicky-Nacky.

AmateurDad · 08/07/2014 08:50

Fair enough. But I am at least referring to the law - you can look up the Forgery and Counterfeiting Act at opsi.gov.uk by simply Googling the name of the Act.

AmateurDad · 08/07/2014 08:57

You've clearly plenty of time to put your opinions about on a public forum.
People don't ask lawyers to apprehend criminals. I've no idea why people ask police officers about the law.
Oh, and I know the Smiths song, Vicar. I also know one about someone "with a big nose, who knows..."

Nicknacky · 08/07/2014 09:26

My bad, I did type fraud when I meant forgery. I can be forgiven when I've had a long day.

And you are right, I'm not a criminal lawyer.

settingsitting · 08/07/2014 09:28

WestmorlandSausage. If I remember correctly, you are a farmer?

settingsitting · 08/07/2014 09:30

I, like AmateurDad, am fed up of seeing wrong advice being dished out on the mumsnet forum.

settingsitting · 08/07/2014 09:31

So what or who are you Nicknacky?

peskyginge · 08/07/2014 09:33

I think it would fall under malicious communication under the communications act. You would need expert advice regarding the handwriting.

Nicknacky · 08/07/2014 09:34

I would be interested to see if anyone can find a link to a person being convicted of an offence for doing something similar?

settingsitting · 08/07/2014 09:38

Ah. Had a look. You are a police officer too.

Nicknacky · 08/07/2014 09:44

And, settingsitting, your occupation?

Nicknacky · 08/07/2014 09:47

I think we are at risk of derailing the op's thread by bickering about occupations so forget I asked.

But for mine and the op' benefit, please link to any cases where a person has been convicted under the Forgery Act for a similar thing?

Flexibilityiskey · 08/07/2014 09:49

Surely all this debate about what offence this is, if any is irrelevant? Everyone seems to agree that it is not something that the CPS would be likely to prosecute, so the better route would be to deal with it civilly.

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII · 08/07/2014 09:50

People don't ask lawyers to apprehend criminals. I've no idea why people ask police officers about the law.

Good point.

Nicknacky · 08/07/2014 09:57

So who do people phone when they have been the victim of a crime? And who forwards and reports the case with all available evidence to pf/cps?

It isn't criminal lawyers.......;

settingsitting · 08/07/2014 09:59

Makes me now think that police officers are gibing out wrong legal advice up and down the country on a daily business.

settingsitting · 08/07/2014 10:00

giving not gibing

frightening scenario.

Nicknacky · 08/07/2014 10:14

If you can show I'm wrong then please feel free, I am perfect able able to accept when I'm wrong.

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII · 08/07/2014 10:20

You can't possibly compare a police officers knowledge of the law with that of an actual lawyer.

The police are bloody brilliant but they haven't gone to University and studied, umm, LAW Confused

I really do think the police are brilliant Thanks Thanks (off duty) Wine etc Grin but really...

Nicknacky · 08/07/2014 10:35

Did I do a comparison? Whilst I can't do the job of a criminal law, the fact they have studied law doesn't mean they could do the job of a police officer. Qualifications only go so far!

And given you are so quick to say "you are wrong, your are wrong" but have been unable to show WHY I'm wrong kinda indicates that, emmmm, I might not be incorrect?

Flexibilityiskey · 08/07/2014 10:38

Setting, I think you will find that most police officers have very good knowledge of the law, in respect of the offences they deal with regularly.

If you are expecting every police officer to have a detailed knowledge of every piece of legislation there is then I think you are expecting a bit much. I don't know how many actual offences there are, but it will be far too many for any one person to remember.

Nicknacky · 08/07/2014 10:42

That's a very good point. Offences are often reported to us that are not common and guidance is always taken from case management and the fiscals office.

settingsitting · 08/07/2014 10:50

Quite Flexibility. I now realise that police officers are very likely indeed to be dishing out wrong information, law wise.

Nicknacky, you are not sure that you are right is the point.
So you should have qualified that you are a police officer and not a lawyer.

settingsitting · 08/07/2014 10:52

When I go on certain boards, I point out when necessary that I am not an expert in the field.

I always think, that on the legal board in particular, posters should say when they are not sure, and when they are not actual lawyers. It is only fair to an op that posts.

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