Police Uniforms?

[DaisyNonna]

How much do they cost?
Are they really necessary for sitting behind a desk?
Have not seen a policeman or woman in the flesh for over two years apart from a few police cars racing past and making lots of noise.
Did see a CSO on the bus about 18 months ago.

[shoota]

All fit desk staff are liable to be called out for street duty in case of serious incident.

[DaisyNonna]

Doubt if the desk sitters could be categorised as fit.
Probably forgotten anything they learned by now.

[retrocop]

Police uniforms are a joke in this day and age. It was forbidden within police circles about 18 yrs ago to mention they belonged to a Pol;ice Force. This sounded too para military and had to be referred as a police service. Now we have most "forces" have their officers walking the streets dressed like cyber cops, I cringe when officers leave their vehicles without wearing the uniform hats they were issued with. A police officer,once upon a time,would be suspended from driving duties should he leave his police vehicle improperly dressed. That was the ruling of the commandant of the famous Police Driving School at Hendon (Met Police). Where were the days when tourists would see a tall 6ft officer with the distinctive, smart uniform of the British Bobby. Certain units should be attired in specialist clothing of course but not ALL police officers. Makes my blood boil.

[DaisyNonna]

I repeat, police or support presence is not seen here.

[retrocop]

DaisyNonna
So what is exactly your complaint. The cost of Police Uniforms or the lack of Police Presence in your area?
Your post title indicates the former!!

[tamborine]

Police are parked up behind shops in high street & in our hospitals; mostly where needs must. In laybys on motorway & all terminals in airport. When called for domestic problems, like tresspass they dont arrive till the dust has settled or my dogs chased off intruders ;)

[askyourgran]

Our local Police Station now works 9-5 don't know what happens if you need them before or after those hours. I did notice that the Police are doing away with the uniform and helmet, they are beginning to look like the perps they are chasing. The plastic policemen were much in evidence where I used to live five months ago, patrolling the streets and the park in pairs. Now I have moved to the opposite side of the city I haven't seen one at all, plastic or otherwise. I won't say it's because it a crime-free area in case I get burgled tonight.

[Dizmo]

tamborine: The dust has usually settle and turned into grass by the time the police attend when dealing with a trespass. It took the police nearly two hours to arrive to my house a couple of days back. An IC1 (couldn't resist, sorry) male attempted B&E (I had to! ouuh come one) after trespass.

[DaisyNonna]

Just trying to highlight the lack of police presence.
There are notices in the local paper, on buses, attached to shops. Have you seen? Do not encourage beggars, did you witness? Etc.
No police people. Possibly a figment of the imagination.

[Dizmo]

DaisyNonna: Police are trying to get people to do their own investigative work now. There has been a huge rise in jobs for Private Investigators.

[tamborine]

Dizmo, dont understand your reply fully. My recent tresspasser was screaming at 4am. He claimed he escaped from a locked caravan where gypsies had cut off his fingers. Didnt want him indoors so rang 999. He collapsed while I phoned & fortunately our biker took him to hospital. Hospital said he had escaped their mental ward.

[Dizmo]

methyl: When I did my SIA CP training we had to more or less strip a car down to check it for IED's. There are so many nooks and crannys isn't there. The boot is the best place, there seems to be loads of places to hide stuff.

[Dizmo]

Tamborine: If you're referring to my comment about "IC1" and "B&E", I was saying it because there's another thread about police codes. I meant that a white male trespassed on my property then attempted to break and enter my house.

[DaisyNonna]

The helicopter goes over at regular intervals, usually searching for lost children. I am delighted when they are found.
What about those form filling pen pushers?
Money spent training to be a police officer who is then turned into a clerk?

[saxy_jag]

Have to say our local bobbies are pretty good. We have a regular PCSO walking around, always ready for a chat and very much on the ball. Yes, we do have a helicopter out regularly but then we live near to a couple of council estates with a high rate of TWOCs and boy racers, so it's no surprise.

I once knew a very senior officer who was responsible for public order across our fair city. Even at his rank he was required to undertake full riot training every year, even though he rarely needs to use it. He was a bit miffed the other year when we had BNP march with all the potential for him to use his training - and it all happened the week he was in Spain on his holidays.

[shoota]

I hear the sound of an axe being ground....