Some Sundays...

I went into Central London on Sunday to display my gratitude to these men and women
It is probably the last time they will parade at this venue. It was a typically simple,understated occasion that the MET police throughout the year.Not a large crowd for a central London event but even the curious throngs of camera snapping tourists held their peace as the service progressed.

Simple low key policing and assisted by the diligent and resourceful St Johns tending to the hot,tired and weary.

As they marched back into the Whitehall side street from the service parade it was good to see all the veterans cheered and clapped by those who watched.
I think one of the biggest cheers was to Albert Rogers who was, gently, to the triumphant music of the assembled army band, assisted to the rendezvous by a parading police officer.

Some Sundays it is worthwhile getting your backside out of the house.

The TIMES they are a changing

Catching up through the other blogs on this and the enforced 'outing' of Nightjack
I wonder what this paper really achieved,or wanted to achieve on this.

What purpose did it serve? It would appear that its journalist decided to establish if the writings within the posts were that of an actual police officer. I am not sure by what means of 'deduction' this was done but a name was arrived at and it was established it was in fact a serving officer.

Having arrived at this point why then decide to 'out' him?

Nightjack deservedly won an Orwell award for his posts over the previous period and by this likely raised his head over the parapet a bit too much for some.

Blogging by police oficers has become a natural vent to let off steam at the way a vitally important public body has allowed itself to become.

We have no 'official' channels for dissent. The Word is the Word.

There used to be a Q and A section in the old internal rag (sadly still in existence)called 'The Job'. Disgruntled officers would write in and then recieve a smug, patronising response from Chief Inspector 9-5 at Department 'Ticky box to the next rank'. I think there may now be a similar on line forum called 'Ask the SMT' or such like. I doubt the responses to concerned 'colleagues' have changed.

I blog,admittedly not as frequently as I would like, to bay and howl at that big, round, complacent 'We ARE one happy extended police family' moon.

This decision will, and has, affected other bloggers. MetCountymounty, as an example, another very readable blogger, has posted that he will call it a day for a period.

As he has been named, but in NO way shamed, I would like to thank Dc Richard Horton of Lancashire CID for his posts. I have enjoyed every last one.

Take care and I look forward to the book.

As for this Blog? I could probably print off the entire back catalogue and shove it under the Commissioners office door and get no more than a 'Dibble who?'

Should that EVER change I will start to rethink.

A Teflon shoulder moment?

This

Commander Broadhurst appears to suggest that the problems associated with the G20 were down to lack of training of the officers involved.

The bulk of officers dealing with G20 where indeed,what is called, Level 2 public order trained.They are Borough officers who volunteer to undertake this duty above and beyond their normal duties. This invariably means a work/home environment where you do not know in advance for any period whether you will be able to have a day off on their rostered rest day.

The fact that they get a chance to train and keep their public order ticket twice a year in training is a policy in place for some years now. Why has this issue of lack of training become an issue now? Or is the whole media driven furore getting to senior ranks?

The plethora of public order that occurs over the year in the MET is covered by Level 2 officers. The Tamils in Parliament square is such an ongoing event now.

He offers words like 'admiring restraint' 'superb performance.. blah' but also uses words such as 'fear might drive inappropriate behaviour' and 'areas of concern which are rightly being investigated'

He talks of 'softer' crowd control options and lack of 'communication' with the 'crowd'

I am getting feelings of 'its down to the actions of junior officers on the ground'

The Met had loads of flak a few years ago, when there was issue over the Met seizing flags when the Chinese president? came over. Junior ranks got the blame.

Like the Level 1 and 2 on that day gave a s**t whether the protesters were carrying flags or not!

This G20 was dealt with by way of tactics dictated from above and planned before hand. Tactics implemented by the loyal officers on the ground.

There is a 'rowing for shore' about this article which worries me.

Quotes and votes

Quotes?

"We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm."

George Orwell.

Now in today's day and age in our risk averse,hand wringing,all inclusive,don't dare upset ANYONE! world ...it would probably read

We sleep safe in our beds because rough (a term which is under review and awaits a decision from the Champions lead on 'Challenging words which may indicate suggestion that police work may occasionally involve laying hands on people' Board) men ( All those employed by the police service, extended police family or those who work on a voluntary basis no matter what perceived sex or sexual orientation ) stand ready in the night (a term which does not suggest that those who wish to gain or remain in employment within the police service have to work hours which are normally considered extended or incompatible with family life) to visit violence ( a term which has negative implications and 'visiting' has to be fully justified and open to full public scrutiny) on those who would do us harm ( all harm doers are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law)....the reverse being true in the case of police officers on You Tube!

What has driven me to this ramble?......is this

Some considerable years ago,when my knees were up to it, I was a member of this Met unit.I thoroughly enjoyed my time with the TSG. I worked with a lot of good professional officers. We were motivated and up for anything that came our way. And it could be anything..from house to house following an incident,to full on public order...

TSG take no s**t..it should be a motto but that is unlikely to be approved...and they don't.

When its going t*ts up and the Reserve are arriving they do not spill out of the carrier set up stalls and distribute leaflets or seek to find 'community leaders' on speed dial.Intervention is swift and those who decide to continue with the behaviour after arrival are dealt with by way of arrest and placing before the local custody sergeant.

Some within Boroughs in the Met (squads and CID were the worst) used to occasionally sneer....but still called us in when the doors in.. hands on stuff was required.
Since moving on I have had various reasons to request TSG assistance.
The motivation and professionalism of those officers remain the same.


The MET need the TSG as a first response and I doubt the bleating of those in the link will be listened to.


Votes?

200 weeks mentions his idea of a Support our TSG' group in his post of 'Too many kettlers'....put me down for that.

Untitled

Skimming through blogs and news sites this evening I realised that PC Gary Toms has died from his injuries following the incident on the 11th in East London.

I had Sky news on in the background TV whilst surfing. I had been bored senseless and occasionally infuriated with the lurid account's of police brutality at the G20.It occupied large chunks of their regular 15 minute news 'updates'

Whilst I was writing this, the presenter mentioned Gary's death.I think the slot lasted 15 seconds...if that.

Says it all.

THIS side of the fence we know what matters.

Thoughts to Gary's family, friends and colleagues.

Caught on camera?

Fair play to Bob Quick to throw his cards in the next day after his gaffe.

Compared to leaving laptops and files on trains, the back seats of cars and occasional landfill, a brief glimpse (only magnified and brought to public prominence by the awaiting press photogs as he stepped out of his car) his moment of indiscretion left him with a swift and honourable falling on sword the next day.

Cant see the political elite above him following his example.

Will the media driven frenzy allow a measured and even handed response to the investigation into the G20 death? Snippets of mobile/CCTV/camera footage have developed into a fomenting 'lets not bother with the basics ..hang him now'

Nah.......

Views and issues.

Another post driven by thoughts kicking around my head and also discussed and outlined eloquently on the sites of 200 and Pc Pinkstone.

The alleged 'outing' and subsequent sacking of PC Bettley


The whole saga dates back to a time when ACPO (plc) decided that,in a grand political gesture that any serving member of the police service, if found to be a member of the BNP would be dismissed.

I was never entirely sure of the legality of this posturing at the time as the BNP (despite whatever you may think of their views) are a legitimate non proscribed political party.

My opinion is this.If you took the stance that individuals are to be dismissed by being members of legitimate political parties then you must include association with Labour, Conservative, Lib Dem etc..

Not,apparently a stance taken from ACPO. What do you think the reaction from ACPO or the assorted Professional Standards Departments would be if serving officers were found to be badge wearing, placard waving, Labour party?...........tumbleweed I expect.

There is no suggestion that Pc Bettley EVER in his career made decisions in his role as constable which were biased against those of different race, religion or treated people differently because of this.

His mere association with one particular political group has ended his career

I fully understand Pc Pinkstones bemusement as to why the BPA ( Black Police Officers Association) and the local advisory group were consulted throughout this...Why?

This is an internal disciplinary enquiry involving what would appear to be a straight forward breach of an ACPO (plc) directive.Why have a deep seated and ongoing discussion with the onlookers?

Meanwhile back at the Holiday Express Inn in
Chingford a bunch of smug, self promoting, zealots are discussing in an open forum the legitimacy of stoning to death Homosexuals.

Any strident harrumphing from ACPO (plc) regarding such opinions? A determination to knock on the door of this meeting and call time or challenge debate?

No.

The best we can do is 'If someone makes a complaint we will look into it'

Even if someone complains, by the time the hurriedly convened GOLD community cohesive discussion group has formed and has reached out to all perceived interest groups the room will have been let to next weeks Rotary group meeting.

This is not some form of apologist rant for the Far Right but if we are to avoid society seriously dividing across issues we have to be seen to be level and fair across the board.

If we except that the bunch in Chingford has a right to their opinion, then EVERY other group, be it far left, far right, christian, muslim ,Hindu etc.. has a right to an opinion

That includes any alleged or perceived members of the BNP who may be in service,

If ACPO (plc).. and their political masters want to bring hell fire on opinion then it has to be across the spectrum of opinion and society.

Anything else will only be taken as political tokenism and recognised as such.

For a balanced society it is not healthy.

I have just realised this is my 100th post. I wish it was more positive.