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.