Police dress code

[Lonnie]

My good lady and myself, were enjoying a well earnrd cuppa in our local shopping centre, when three Policemen, (real, not Bunketts Bobbies) came along, all three had their jacketd ondone, one had his shirt hanging out, they were holding their hats, and looked real scruffs,
As we watched, they went into a shop, and came out with their purcgases in their hats.
I believe they were on duty, as one of them had his radio attached to his ear.

I was going to take a photo, but my wife stopped me.

My question is, dressed as they were, apart from a Citizens arrest, if they had arrested anyone, would it hold up in a court of Law?.

I ask this, because i've heard of a case being thrown out because the arresting officer was improperly dressed.

[VillageVicar]

As long as they identified themselves as police, then the arrest would be upheld. From your details, I gather they were just sloppy and not, in a traditional sense, out of uniform. Therfore, I'm reasonably certain it would clear.

However, if you have concerns regarding their attire and professionalism, it might be appropriate to write the local police chief, espressing your dismay

I wish you every success

Fr Bill

[4GS]

Hi Lonnie mucker
Yes as long as the arresting officer had his Warrant card with him, it makes no difference how the Policeman was dressed. However, with our military backgrounds, we both know just how unprofessional it looks being scruffy. As I've said before, I live by the maxim that 'you never get a second chance to make a good first impression. If they had been soldiers under my command, I would have charged them under good old Section 70 oif the Army Act, bringing the good name of the Army into disrepute

[jake-the-peg]

The good name of the Army?

Does that include mudering civiliians?

The civilian detainees were allegedly hooded, deprived of sleep and beaten - and one of them, Baha Mousa, 26, died in custody.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/5370728.stm

The charges announced last week against seven men from the 3rd Battalion, Parachute Regiment involve the murder of Iraqi Nadhem Abdullah at a roadside checkpoint
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0 ,6903,1406840,00.html

[Reverandfunk]

Burger me aint you got nothing better to moan about?

[theonlyone]

I used to be in a uniformed job ,and if you didn't look the part were told to sort yourself out , it was high security dealing with the public . A smart person makes a good impression on the person they are dealing with . Would you put your faith in a hospital consultant who looked and spoke like a new age traveler ??? So to answer your question I think you should write to the Area Commander and voice your concerns .

[Octavius]

Could it be that they were just returning from dealing with an incident such as chasing a fiendish brute around the shopping centre? After a little run, I am the least presentable person, let alone professional.

[Lonnie]

VillageVicar,
Thanks for explaining, I was under the impression that they had to be properly dressed.
Now I know.

4GS
Your 100% right, with our background, thats probably what drew my attention to them.
Real scruffs, slouching also.

jake,
I've been following those stories, and am as digusted as anyone else, but it has nothing to do with this thread, or what 4GS has said.

Reverand,
If thats all you've got to say, why come on say it at all.

theonly one
Very true, and thats good advice,

Octavius
That would be a good possibility, but not in this case, they were shopping for particular items, it was as i've described, and as fresh as just bloomed Daises.

[4GS]

PS
Lonnie, I was johnlambert in a past life, I didn't answer jake-the-peg because, well, you and I both know the good works that squaddies do that never get any recognition.
Shalom mucker

[Shadow Man]

4GS is slightly wrong.

A police officer does not need his warrant card with him to make an arrest, even out of uniform.

To stop and search (which somebody CAN be arrested for, if criteria is met) he will need his warrant card, and some laws (most traffic laws and some Public Order ones) will state the copper must be in uniform.

The wearing of hat has been deemed not necessary as weariing full uniform. One of the oldest police myths is "he can only arrest you with his hat on!!)

For example, if a police officer off duty interveens in a fight and gets clubbed one round the earhole, the charge would be assault police. There was no time for him to show his warrant card nor even say "I am a police officer"

Yes it is best practice, but no law stipulates he has to confirm he is police.

If somebody says they are police when they are not, and are acting in a capacity conducive with police powers, the offence of immitatiing a olice constable is taken seriously by the local magistrate.

Regarding your post, as said-sloppyness. Simple as that.

Write to the Inspector of the station and say "Is pride in appearance no longer a formality for constables of this county"?

[cruella]

Hi Lonnie
Years ago, a Police Officer was unable to charge anyone if they did not have their hat on.
That has probably changed now.
I too find that uniformed employees leave a lot to be desired with their uniforms.
I saw a guy from Securicor or similar today.
Shirt tail hanging out over the back end of his trousers. He was on duty at the time. Okay, not a Police Officer but I find that a few do not take pride in their appearance now.

[4GS]

I bow to your superior knowledge minter:

http://www.yourrights.org.uk/your-rights/chapt ers/the-rights-of-suspects/police-powers-of-ar rest/index.shtml

I always thought the Police had to show a warrant card when making an arrest

[weeal]

Did it really matter so much that you nearly too a photo??
They mightve had a rough shift/morning, whatever

[chicklin]

My retired plod boyfriend tells me that what VillageVicar says is quite correct.
He is also dismayed at the state of their dress, and feels that they do not do themselves any favours when they parade themselves in a scruffy manner.
They need to command the respect of the public, which is a difficult enough task for them these days as it is......!
In fact he's quite embarrassed to admit that he was a police officer, as nobody seems to like them nowadays!!

[Lonnie]

Hi John,
From the way you worded your reply, I wondered, but wasn't sure.

Thanks for the info, and good luck.

Wardy,
Thanks for that explanation, puts everything in order, and yes, I am writing, catch the first post tomorrow.

Hi Cruella,
Totally agree with you, eg, I'm a driver on the London Underground, and always wear shirt and tie, polished shoes etc, but so many now, just wear a fleece, or open necked shirt, trainers and shorts, thats men and women, and I think that mode of dress makes them look ridiculous.
Its all about having pride in your job, which unfortunately, is missing in so many careers, incliding the police.

ps,
Hows your husband coming along?.

[cruella]

Thanks for asking Lonnie
Not too great at the moment.
Starting ore chemo next week.
Still, every day a bonus!

[Lonnie]

Thanks for coming back Cruella, as i've said before, I am thinking of you both.

[cruella]

Lonnie
Please keep us posted with any update on your Daughter. Been wondering if you have been able to get any further. I do hope so anyway.

[Lonnie]

Hi Cruella,
Our last chance now, is our MP, i'll let you know what happens.