Is The Uk Turning Into An Authoritarian Hole?

[Kromovaracun]

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/police-threaten-to-arrest-facebook-users-after-tiny-drugs-bust-mocked-a3836296.html

Facebook users have been threatened with prosecution by police because they made fun of a small drugs bust.

Is "being disrespectful" to police on the internet really grounds for prosecution?

[Kromovaracun]

//Here's a thought - rather than having a pop why not go and do something useful in the Community to support the Officers and point them towards problems that need solving.//

Because people have the right to make fun of authority figures, even if those figures don't like it. They are not obliged to be serve them, it's the other way around. Britain is not supposed to be an authoritarian culture.

Yes, it does concern me that police officers feel that they can casually make threats to use the power of the state against people who are a bit cheeky on the internet. If you don't like it, don't reply. Or don't read it. Easy.

[Togo]

No but plod gets more precious by the day. Turning into a branch of the easily "hurt" legions.

[dannyk13]

OG
//But didn't enforced 20mph near everywhere without legitimate reason (save trying to fine decent folk//
Your proof of this is?

[nailit]

//Nailit - did you do something naughty though? //
Well this thread isn't about me is it, but for the record having had several dealings with plod, I can only say that I would NEVER trust them. NOT because they have had cause to arrest me but because ive received several beatings off them (one resulting in me having to be taken to A&E to get treated for a head injury)and they have blatently lied in court.
As I said, respect is earned.

[Kromovaracun]

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/count-dankula-nazi-pug-salutes-mark-meechan-fine-sentenced-a8317751.html

And then there's this nonsense.

[Zacs-Master]

‘Sure! I reserve my right to exaggerate’

Mmm. Doesn’t do the credibility of your question much good.

We obviously have different political views, so I’ll leave it there, save to say I have no fear whatsoever of the things you mention.

[Mamyalynne]

//If you don't like it, don't reply. Or don't read it. Easy.//

It's their page, they do read what's on it, so would you I imagine were it yours.

[dannyk13]

Kromo, not a casual threat but a warning not to break the law.
// being insulting, abusive or offensive can and will result in a prosecution under the Malicious Communications Act 1988.

[Kromovaracun]

Well, let's hope they don't sneak up on you then. If they don't, I can assure you it will be people who care about these things that have protected you. We currently live in a country where you can be fined for making a joke that is too offensive, and police officers can threaten you with arrest for being impolite (but only to them). That should worry you, imo.

//Mmm. Doesn’t do the credibility of your question much good//

Oh, get over yourself. Answerbank is not a hallowed debating hall, it's an internet forum.

[dannyk13]

Kromo.
// police officers can threaten you with arrest for being impolite (but only to them).
Your knowledge of any instances of this please?

[nailit]

//being insulting, abusive or offensive can and will result in a prosecution under the Malicious Communications Act 1988.//
And wo decides exactly what constitutes insulting, abusive or offensive?
If I called a police officer a 'pig' I can get arrested and charged. If I call someone in the street a pig and reported it the police would laugh at me.

[dannyk13]

Nailit
//And wo decides exactly what constitutes insulting, abusive or offensive? //
A court of law decides.

[nailit]

But in the mean time Danny, youd spend the night in the cells eh?
Great.

[nailit]

And a court would certainly find me guilty of calling a police officer a pig but someone calling me a pig wouldn't even get to court. Do you see what Kroms getting at now about an authauritarian state?

[mushroom25]

//a night in the cells//

and the rest, it seems, in certain areas - http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-hereford-worcester-44093306
due to increasing centralisation even some large centres no longer have remand "facilities"......

[ToraToraTora]

you'd be backing them if they were going after someone committing and "ism"

[Mamyalynne]

and is very useful, no one can be against that.

[nailit]

No one doubts that the police have a job (and sometimes a difficult and dangerous job) to do. But the police are also public servants.
They are not there to be ''offended'' at some tittle tattle on Facebook for Gods sakes and they are not here to be judge, jury and executioner.

[Mamyalynne]

Genuine users of local Police Facebook pages would be discouraged if all they consisted off was smart Alec remarks for the fun of the vitriolic.

Go and do it on their own or a mate's page.

[nailit]

//Genuine users of local Police Facebook pages would be discouraged if all they consisted off was smart Alec remarks for the fun of the vitriolic.//

Just spent some time looking at my own local Police Facebook page and it appears that the users there are more discouraged at the police's attitudes towards the public that they are supposed to serve than anything else. If the police cant take a bit of criticism without resorting to making threats of arrest then its God help us all.