Ben Needham Cop Recalled Home

[malagabob]

Old news I know. The Police officer investigating the disappearance of Ben Needham has been recalled back to UK, after reporters filmed him drinking for 8 hrs with colleagues until 12:30 What's your views?

[RATTER15]

If he was off duty during the binge and during his recovery and was fit and well whilst back on duty I would not have a problem with it, I would imagine that this is not the case though.

[joggerjayne]

I agree with the mum, who was on the telly yesterday.

The investigating police were doing a good job, and are entitled to let their hair down when off duty.

The disgraceful behaviour was no by the police for going on a bender ... it was by The Sun for publishing the photos and trying to undermine confidence in the investigating team.

[Prudie]

I agree with Eddie, if they had to do this investigation in the rough part of Birmingham (as pure example) no-one would give 2 hoots about them drinking off duty. Ben disappeared in Kos so any investigation is going to involve travel to a holiday island in the sun.

[Peter Pedant]

I thought cops were never off duty ?

[ nineteenth century case of a fella hitting a off-duty peeler with a milk bottle and being done for assaulting a police officer. I keep on thinking it is sherras v de rutzen but that in fact is something else ]

[RATTER15]

Peter Pedant, "I thought cops were never off duty ?" My Ex stepson (now deceased) from an ex wife was fighting in the street when two guys tried to retrain him, he then attacked them putting them both in hospital and blinding one in one eye. It turned out they were both Police Officers but as they did not tell my stepson that they were Police Officers (off duty) they had no recourse. My stepson pleaded self defence as he did not know who these guys were and walked away an innocent man.

[-Talbot-]

Right lads listen up ... we have attracted a lot of bad press over the last few years, what with

The Cliff Richard live raid on his home
Turning a blind eye to Muslim groomers in Rotherham
And we could soon be up against it for battle of Orgreave
There is also shameful way we lied and covered up Hillsborough

So I think we should start and show the Great British public what we are really all about!


Well done lads ...

[anneasquith]

Go on *** by all means boys when off duty, but don't be so arrogant to do it in a very public place. A senior officer recalled home...........to get more petty cash maybe ?

[Patsy33]

Who reads the sun??

[anneasquith]

I don't. I found this information on the BBC website yesterday.

[andy-hughes]

RATTER - //Peter Pedant, "I thought cops were never off duty ?" My Ex stepson (now deceased) from an ex wife was fighting in the street when two guys tried to retrain him, he then attacked them putting them both in hospital and blinding one in one eye. It turned out they were both Police Officers but as they did not tell my stepson that they were Police Officers (off duty) they had no recourse. My stepson pleaded self defence as he did not know who these guys were and walked away an innocent man. //

In view of the fact that your stepson beat these men with such ferocity that one was partially blinded - his plea of 'self defence' may well have meant he was not convicted, but I would dispute your conclusion that he 'walked away an innocent man'.

Lack of conviction and innocence can and often are mutually exclusive - one does not automatically confer the other.

[retrocop]

Police officers are not on duty 24 hours. Perhaps someone would like to research the reason for armbands on police uniforms.Police officers are not allowed to render themselves unfit for duty at any time. That means when off duty as well.No accusations made that I have yet to see that have accused them of that. As I said yesterday. They are not subject to house arrest or a curfew when off duty.

[RATTER15]

Andy, I know what you are saying but when you are defending yourself against two guys, you dont pussyfoot around with them. One of them was knocked out after hitting his against a post the other had a thumb in his eye.

My stepson was only 5'8" and a slight build but he could handle himself and a fighter, he met his demise when asleep on a sofa at a friends house when he was stabbed through the heart with a kitchen knife.
I know he was no angel!

[andy-hughes]

Ratter - //Andy, I know what you are saying but when you are defending yourself against two guys, you dont pussyfoot around with them. One of them was knocked out after hitting his against a post the other had a thumb in his eye.

My stepson was only 5'8" and a slight build but he could handle himself and a fighter, he met his demise when asleep on a sofa at a friends house when he was stabbed through the heart with a kitchen knife.
I know he was no angel! //

Thank you for the background, and acceptance of my point.

My commiserations for the loss of your step-son - we love our children no matter what they do, and no parent should ever out-live their child.

[retrocop]

Police officers can place themselves 'on duty' any time they consider it necessary. As Ratter said,they must announce their identity and produce a warrant card if about to exercise an arrest. Obviously they cannot arrest where the legal requirements of certain offences require a uniformed officer. i.e. Breathalyser

[jambutty]

Kerry Needham said it didn't bother her, can't say it bothered me either.

[viv41]

Nor me !