Should Police Officers Apologise...

[agchristie]

For stop and searches that reveal nothing on the person?

Would officers carry out searches that are 'unwarranted' or 'unreasonable'? Is this proposal casting doubt on officer's integrity?

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/police-officers-could-have-to-give-facetoface-apologies-for-unwarranted-stop-and-searches-10459653.html

[ummmm]

No.

[Canary42]

It wouldn't hurt.

[bazwillrun]

Absolutely not

[anotheoldgit]

Will it be all stop and search victims, or just one section?

[naomi24]

No.

[-Talbot-]

An explanation would be nice.

[Gromit]

The emphasis should be on getting the false stops down rather than continuing but apologising.
Don't think a face to face aplology would work in restoring confidence, but it might make over zealous curtail unmeritted stops.

[agchristie]

Gromit // The emphasis should be on getting the false stops down rather than continuing but apologising.//

How would you do this? False stops are surely only known after the event? Or are officers deliberately stopping without good cause?

[Old_Geezer]

There should be no unwarranted stop & searches. This is supposed to not be a Police State. All police activity should be warranted not done on a whim for a laugh.

[agchristie]

I would imagine that if an officer spots a known shoplifter, burglar or weapon carrier then he/she is more likely to be stop searched.

Should three false stops result in an officer being automatically retrained? I'm not so sure....

[janbee]

NO !

[andy-hughes]

I can see the thinking behind this - but as other have advised, the situation revolves around incorrect stops, not the need to apologise.

If you are a known criminal, then you should accept that s & s is a potential aspect of your life - it goes with your chosen career path.

That does not mean that you are stopped every day that has a 'y' in it either - the procedure needs to be conducted on a proper reasonable basis.

If a reasonable search reveals nothing, then a simple apology takes the sting out of the situation for all concerned.

[agchristie]

Andy // If a reasonable search reveals nothing, then a simple apology takes the sting out of the situation for all concerned//

You would like to think so, trouble is people have their own definition on what is 'reasonable'.

[Mosaic]

Good grief, what does it take? My OH can 'apologise' in the most insincere and dismissive manner imaginable, maybe the police should buy his services as a trainer.

[retrocop]

No definiteley not. I carried out many Section 66 Met Police Act stops. I always thanked the person for their co operation and explained the reason for my actions. All stops were recorded twice and I willingly gave my shoulder number and police station attached to any person who resented the stop. I never had a complaint and recovered quite a lot of stolen property with that particular act of crime prevention and clear up rate. I never felt the need to apologise just for doing my job.

[ladybirder]

Do many really resent it retro?

[agchristie]

Retro, as a former officer, just as a point of interest, is a known offender more prone to being stop searched do you think?

[andy-hughes]

retrocop - //No definiteley not. I carried out many Section 66 Met Police Act stops. I always thanked the person for their co operation and explained the reason for my actions. All stops were recorded twice and I willingly gave my shoulder number and police station attached to any person who resented the stop. I never had a complaint and recovered quite a lot of stolen property with that particular act of crime prevention and clear up rate. I never felt the need to apologise just for doing my job. //

That sounds like an eminently responsible approach to a difficult aspect of a difficult job.

Human nature dictates that some people will always make an issue out of something like this - but a reasonable approach certainly invites a reasonable response.

[ladybirder]

I may be wrong but I would expect that it is the known offenders that are more likely to kick up a fuss sort of as a point of honour. Make it as difficult as possible for the copper type of thing.

[retrocop]

agchristie and ladybirder,
Yes I have to admit that known offenders would be a particular target especially as they would be seen loitering near a hock shop with Ghetto blaster or other expensive item.
I do not recall any resentment from any member of society with whom I stopped.
Just a simple explanation for actions taken and a thank you always seemed to suffice and we all went on our merry way unless the stop had a positive result of course which it often did with careful application of a useful power to defeat crime.