The Thin Blue Line

You aint seen me, right !

2010-07-11T18:34:00.004+01:00

I thought I had walked away from blogging,
I thought things may improve as I moved rank and roles,
I thought that the government was investing in the "force",
I thought , I like ice-cream.

Only 1 out of 4, is correct.

Which is a bit like getting convictions at court, now that I think of it.

I wish Pc David Rathband and his family my heartfelt thanks for doing his job, and I hope he will in time recover and have his wounds heal as best they can.

So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish

2009-07-24T11:11:00.003+01:00

A big thank you to all my readers over the years and every body who has commented and sent me emails. Good luck to all the other police bloggers , keep up the great work.

I have been posted in a Detective Sergents role and its time to move on and away from the online world .

Have fun , be safe , enjoy life and please get out from behind the desk / computer and see the fantastic world we live in.

This world is for the living and enjoyment of it all , by parting words

To laugh often and much;

To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;

To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;

To appreciate beauty;

To find the best in others;

To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition;

To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived;

This is to have succeeded.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Congrats

2009-04-28T14:10:00.003+01:00

Yesterday , I like hundreds of other officers up and down the country found out our results of the recent Sergent's exam.

Congratulations to all those who were successful and I will be joining you all in the celebrations of getting that under the belt and out of the way !

WHOOOOO HOOOO

I was thinking of something to post that would reflect the relief and encompass all the recent groans and pains, but there isn't . The rock keeps rolling people want us to be there the service and the officers adapt to what the public wants us to do. Each and every day officers up and down the country excel themselves and are proud of what they do. Long may it last.

So , time to go have some beers and relax and plan the next stage of taking of the world.

( Five years from probationer to passing part 1 exam... not bad for a thicko like me )

Exam results

2009-04-18T08:54:00.003+01:00

Hi,
Still waiting for the OSPRE exam results,

How long does it take to pass a computer readable multi guess checkbox form into a reader and get a sodding result ?

Oh well, here is hoping that even if its a scrap pass, its still a pass !

See you all after March 2009

2008-10-25T09:53:00.002+01:00

head down, hours to be put in , books to be read , mocks to be done, audio cds listened to .. later all

Sorry still a little bit racist

2008-10-07T18:21:00.003+01:00

Would love to post a lot about the goings on recently but apparently I am racist , explains why I cancelled my membership to the BPA , they no longer speak for the BME element in the met and have there own agenda.

Should we have these quasi organisations anymore , are we not all police officers first ?

Is it time that all the " police associations " just be kicked to touch and we get back to just doing the job at hand ..

I have not seen , heard witnessed or been a victim of racism while employed by the met police , what am I doing wrong , I have been a victim of racism while working on the streets my members of the public ... but they don't count as I arrest them and send em to court, just like what I would do *IF* it happened at work...

Stockwell Inquest

2008-09-26T08:19:00.003+01:00

After getting it in the neck for the last few days from stupid people can I point the following out

Inquests do not establish if anyone was at fault or to blame for deaths - instead, they try to find out (and record) who the deceased was, how, when and where the deceased came by his or her death and the particulars needed for registration of the death.

Matters of blame or fault can only be pursued in separate civil or criminal proceedings.

The coroner may report the facts to an appropriate authority which may have power to prevent similar fatalities in future, but he or she cannot make recommendations or compel the authority to do anything.

Government proposes scrapping the PNB

2008-09-13T08:01:00.005+01:00

"I am sorry but your protection officers have buggered off "

THE way decisions on police officer pay, allowances, working time and benefits are made is set to be radically overhauled after the Government proposed scrapping the Police Negotiating Board. Home Secretary Jacqui Smith announced that a pay review body should be set up to make crucial decisions about all UK police officers' remuneration

http://www.policereview.com/public/jprcom/index.html

Gun crime ...

2008-08-07T00:37:00.001+01:00

While every body is blathering on about knife crime , it seems that gun crime has taken a back seat.

It will not be long before its news again, the thing about knifes is that you have to be close to your victim, guns kill at range ( well... depends on if they play the xbox or not )

After all , since every child matters it appears every round now has to count..

rohm and haas Coupons squawk box becky quick

2008-07-10T15:00:00.006+01:00

I thought I might have some thing big and clever to say upon my return, but I haven't. I returned last week to an office with even less staff than I left with, with no prospect of having it ever back to full strength, I see even less prospect of anything moving forward.

The office and division is fixated on "Threats to kill" and "Threats to life" rather than any government targets , like drugs , guns or knife crime - I feel like I should be cutting out Coupons to go shopping with in order to get fed this week as there is a freeze on "overtime" ... is the budget all ready gone ? if so, on what ? Clearly it wasn't on pay or better conditions or even tackling crime in the area.

Two months away and I can easily see whats at fault.

It is us.

We willingly do what we should not and with some kind of weird pride step up to the line to do a job no sane person would do given the choice.

We make the job work.

Why ?

The government doesn't respect us , but then we don't do what we do for them.

We do it for the people who's voices are trampled out by the jackboot of the loudest complainer.

Its like watching Rohm and Haas stock selling for silly money

(* lets see who can out rate who )

Maybe I should look else where , Whats the weather like in Canada ?

Is this thing still on ?

2008-07-08T19:41:00.002+01:00

* Hello is this thing still on ?

oh , good job the MP's got the award isnt it , dangerous job that.
I wonder whats next year going to be ? a lump of coal ?

Fin

2008-04-09T15:05:00.001+01:00

nice, fin - toodle pips

With Sympathy

2008-03-12T06:33:00.004Z

Thoughts and prayers go out to the families of both officers at this time.

Only they know the truth.

Hi America !

2008-03-06T08:36:00.005Z

A big hello , to my readers from the
U.s. Immigration And Naturalization Service,
The US Senate, and
Department Of Veterans Affairs,

I like America honest !

Paranoid .. me ?

Oh the strain.

2008-03-06T08:02:00.003Z

As a newly "qualified' techo , I laughed when I read this at the breakfast table.

There has been many a night duty when I was on my own dealing with stranger rapes, murder scenes and serious GBH and robberies , yes I was a trainee detective but at the time I was also a substantive constable , does making me a trainee detective mean I forget all my coppering skills ? Do I suddenly forget the law and what to do ?

No of course not. Do all my managers and supervisors then all disappear ? No they do not , all reachable on the phone , radio and there are contact desks' , uniformed inspectors with decades of experience are all at hand. Investigations are not haphazard affairs, there are investigation plans, reviews and are subjected to supervision on a regular basis by supervisors and crime management units (*cough)

But don't worry while I am working hard away don't forget we have the eyes and ears looking out for you on the streets'

I cannot speak for all detectives work load I can only refer to my own , I have at any one time 20 + investigations ongoing, they will range from fraud offences to serious GBH's. Working an allocated 40 hour week, I also have to deal during the week with arrests that come from the general police teams that make an arrest that fall into the CID remit. ( what ever home office target is this month) be that theft of motor vehicles, burglary's or theft of a pedal cycle !

I worked that out as given each of my 20 crimes just 1 hour a week would count for half my weeks shift leaving 10 hours to deal with just one prisoner is arrested,
Do you really believe an entire borough workforce would make just one serious crime arrest a week ? Well no. I would deal with about 2 arrests a day on top of my workload the average time I have worked out is 15 hours to deal with a serious crime where an arrest has been made before putting the case to the CPS a disposal decision.

Anyone care to work out the math how much time that gives me to investigate your crime ?
That's why CID investigations take months, its not perfect but I get results.

A couple of weeks ago..

2008-02-20T10:59:00.002Z

" Ah TDC TBL step in to my office”, remarked the DCI, (oh shit what now)
I thought as I cast my mind back on the last 72 hours (The time frame for how long something is important to the DCI for).

He then starts to make small talk, how I am, how is life, my workload and other non committal stuff, he is starting to make me edgy by this banter. I wait for the "just one more thing before you go ... " remark.

"Sign this would you please?" he toss's over across the desk a familiar looking orange docket that bears my name, it comes to a stop at my hand.

Glancing sideways I look for the hidden DPS spook, nope none in sight, a trickle of sweat drips down my back winding its way to my underwear, which I suspect is going to be full soon.

But no.. As I open the docket I see a magical phrase " Detective constable TBL ".

It’s done! I am signed off. I am now a proper 'techo.

Time to put the feet up, large it up, read the paper and shout at the lids!

(* Above remark is flippant)

oh and now I owe the DCI a very large and expensive drink at the next office "meeting".

Missing the point

2008-02-07T08:53:00.001Z

Civilian staff can perform many duties better than police officers, a review by Sir Ronnie Flanagan claims.

What duties would these be Ronnie ?

Doing case papers? ... That get lost at court.
Administration ? ... Meaning we have to fill out a book to get a shirt or a pen.
Front desk? ... Giving wrong legal information to the pubic
Taking statements? … That don’t contain even the points to prove let alone make sense.

Or perhaps the eyes and ears as CSO's ...

Watching kids drown and locking them self’s in a room when a 13 year old shouts at them

No Ronnie, what’s needed is fair pay and free reign to get back to doing what we do best, catching criminals and putting them to court.

What’s failed is the court, putting the criminals away.

That’s what the public despair about.

Why is that ?

Oh right, lack of prison space, because officers are catching so many

Jacki Smith found guilty

2008-01-24T17:40:00.000Z

Catchy title, and hopefully not to far from the truth,
While my colleagues were swanning about in London causing a riot and a nuisance , the rest of us were on duty and some of us were stuck in court.

Despite to say I got someone to "borrow" a white baseball cap for me that I will sell on ebay for my £ 250 .

Sorted.

Oh and one for this old boy ! Quality

One for fellow bikers

2008-01-14T07:20:00.001Z

'You'll get your old job back!'

2008-01-09T18:31:00.000Z

When the fighting was at its fiercest
And everything looked black
This was the promise that cheered us on
'You'll get your old job back!'

Lets start the New Year with a Bang

2008-01-01T10:34:00.000Z

Best wishes and a speedy recovery for PC Katie JOHNSON

As we push in to 2008, how many more incidents like this I wonder ?

Dear Santa

2007-12-20T18:10:00.000Z

Dear Santa,
Can I have a pay deal that does not suck
SPP Payment in my role
Less paperwork
A Safer London..

Merry Christmas and a Happy new Year All !

1.9% theft

2007-12-06T17:25:00.000Z

I was going to post but I cannot be bothered now, overworked , unpaied and undervalued.

No change going spare then ...

Maybe I should have a job credit card

Lest we forget our own.

2007-11-11T17:43:00.001Z

http://www.policememorial.org.uk/

The message..

2007-11-09T18:18:00.001Z

It took me ages to find a related photo ( that wasn't tasteless as I feel )

Delivering a Death message is a call, that returns you back to earth with a thump in this job, like a quite a lot of the work in fact.

I recall having a whole day about this in Hendon, and also found when ever I have had call to be the one knocking on the door, each and every time I have called on the job related number on "Delivering a death message"

Its a shame we are not measured on this "preformance" indicator

-Tbl.

Give a little

2007-11-07T15:44:00.000Z

I have always felt the blogging community was a very much help our self's and help each other network.

Bill sticker a decent chap pointed out to me today that Merys is a hell of a bind, As Bill put it

" Her funding has been pulled and if she can't find a grand within the next two weeks she is going to get kicked out of medical school. One less Doctor in this world, at least to me, is a bad thing. Who will patch you up after a bad one?"

I Agree. I have have made a donation to Merys .. why not sent on a few yourself.
She has tried all the avenues open to students for funding and is at her wits end, with so much going on in the world whats a few pounds to you.. why not donate the price of a round of beers to Merys.

Donate here http://bloodystudents.blogspot.com/

2007-11-05T12:42:00.001Z

CID Night duty, Now Don't assume the worst, I have covered CID night duty before however , up until now I was the skivvy bag boy running around after the DC / TDC .

The time of heady responsibility now looms over my head , as I embark on a 7 Night week of night duty of 10pm to 6am in South London with a brand new shiny PC who has come upstairs , bright eyed and bushy tailed as I once did.

Now I am the lead, the one who has to advise and direct a duty officer who probably has seen it all a thousand times before.

I sit here awake far to early , wondering if I have all the pens and pencils I will need, woolly hat - check. Cuppa soups, tea,coffee & sugar supplies I secured yesterday on a normal weekend on shift.

Its the 5th of November , I know it will be busy , I know it will in all likely hood be controlled chaos . I just hope I do not come across a complete idiot , I kinda like this job.

Wish me luck and don't say the Q word.

Fireworks or shots fired ?

2007-11-02T02:48:00.001Z

Mrs Tbl would like to ask all the naughty people in south london to stop shooting at me.

She said that " I am not that needy for the money yet !"

I also it seams need to finish off the house first.

thanks.

tbl.

Remember Remember ...

2007-10-31T11:36:00.001Z

Its that time of year again.
I fooled myself thinking I would be relatively safe in CID from the mindless acts of idiots around this time .. then I woke up.

Yup, Fireworks, I find myself in an unmarked car ( again ) with a fellow techo' who I have just met today.

We will be driving around for hours on end looking for naughty people and supporting our uniformed colleagues who will be running around like mad marsh hares.

The reason why I am not behind my desk drinking tea ? A new Detective Inspector.
Nice chap , seems normal.. two eyes one head both hands, that sort of thing but he seems to be under the illusion that having actual police out on the street doing stuff prevents crime !

He will never last.

Shame really because this is a good laugh , and the reason why I joined. oh well.

Lucky Tamba Dube

2007-10-20T11:13:00.001+01:00

Lucky Tamba Dube RIP

in your own words

"UNKULUNKULU AKUBUSISE"

Dear MPA

2007-09-30T21:37:00.001+01:00

Dear Mr Mpa people Please can I have a Taser

I promise that I will use it in accordance with all my other officer safety equipment , such as my handcuffs, CS Spray and bendy batton.

All of which "could" cause serious injury or death ...

Miss Cindy Butts who is on record for saying

"Gun crime destroys lives and brings fear and intimidation to our communities. The MPA gun crime scrutiny made 17 recommendations to add value to the Metropolitan Police Service’s existing activities and suggest constructive ways to move policy forward, and we believe our findings are of real significance.”

Yet also states on behalf of the MPA regarding the issuing of Tasers to uniformed front line officers...

"The proposal brought to us today was for Tasers to be used in addition to firearms, which is a significant development and one we were not happy to agree to without greater explanation of the implications and justification for this move.

“We have therefore called for a more thorough report to the October meeting of the full Authority. This will require a detailed business case, a clear indication that the Met has taken into account the concerns that London’s communities will rightly raise, and a commitment to communicate how, when and why Tasers will be deployed in the future.”

Which is , on the face of it a cop out , more paperwork and redtape while officers continue to be stabbed and shot dead up and down the country

The public need protecting from the pond life that are been released early from prisons , the police are accused of been risk adverse ?

I say its our policy's that are risk adverse.

Does that make us institutionally something ?

Lipstick and Batons

2007-09-22T08:47:00.000+01:00

Over the last few days there has been a spotlight on police blogs and books from the mainstream media , that aside you must read Bloggs book.

Its not a lawful order but it sure is a collective sigh across the board knowing that we are not alone in the mourning of the loss of common sense. I have chuckled and laughed for the last few days on the train and disturbed the suits and commuters on the daily grind.

Published by Monday books which also set the flagship police blog - to book Wasting police time by the original torch bearer David Copperfield ( STU ! ) , Diary of an On-call Girl: True Stories from the Front Line is a smashing read of the work at the coal face uniformed officers who are the workhorse of 21st Century policing in Britain today.

It will not teach you how to avoid arrest or even how to sweet talk at the roadside, but it does give you an accurate and factual reflection on what really goes on behind the warrant card.

Buy it now !

Good luck

2007-09-21T17:34:00.001+01:00

I want to take this post to say a big good luck to DC and wish him the very best over the pond.

If you havent read any of this blog, shame on you and go now!
http://coppersblog.blogspot.com/ the rest of us still in silly land will look on fondly !

Fair Pay

2007-08-31T11:54:00.000+01:00

“I wanted to remain optimistic but sadly the Home Office and Treasury want to bully the police service into taking a real term pay cut and impose less than they are paying themselves.”

Jan Berry, chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, and chairman of the Staff Side of the Police Negotiating Board

Chaps toddle along to http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Fair-Police-Pay/
and sign up , dont use your work email as pnn internet blocks the confirmation page.

2007-08-28T00:38:00.001+01:00

With the new anti-smoking laws all in place and everybody now numb to seeing the horrible no smoking sign defacing public buildings and the ilk , I for one as a non smoker want to be allowed to take my prisoners ( sorry Detainees ) out on the ramp at police stations to have the evil "fag"

I also want to hear from fellow officers any stories they have about anti smoking enforcement...

Been away

2007-08-22T18:54:00.000+01:00

I had a nice little break away from it all, as I had a few rest days owed to me and it is best use them up before they get cancelled for some such nonsense as policing or work.

I have another Polly tunnel up and the rest of the lettuce and carrots are now planted out.

Still a lot to do in the damp weather been having but it keeps the criminals inside :)

A river wander

2007-08-08T16:16:00.000+01:00

While on a spare few moments between shifts, I took a walk along the river and realised I had not taken any photos of the landscape of London since I moved over.

Blog rating.

2007-08-03T10:26:00.000+01:00

Moved to Undercover

2007-08-01T10:39:00.001+01:00

Well the lettuce has , not me !

I had a few hours to myself this morning as I could not sleep, and the early morning sunshine was to much to ignore.

I have relocated the young lettuce to outside now to harden off and grow to full bloom, I think it will take about 40 days before they are ready to harvest !

I have enough space for another Polly tunnel for the carrots which I will be planting at the weekend

The view from inside the tunnel already shows that they have taken to the early morning transplant and condensation from the morning sun is already evident.

Psstt... Anyone want some lettuce in late September ?

Fridays

2007-07-27T12:36:00.000+01:00

I could post about the recent murders, and shooting going on at the moment in South London, the usual tragic waste of life, the distraught families and media impact.

However sod all that -

Take a look at my lovely lettuce and carrots that are going with abandon.
Lovely !

Eve

2007-07-23T17:47:00.001+01:00

Eve online.

I spend far to much of my down time playing this game.

Go Figure.

2007-07-23T13:27:00.000+01:00

Oh please find me a nice warm soft bed,
what is it about the end of the summer term means that we get no rest.

"were finished schoolz ya know " piped the snotty young hoody.

I just want a cup of coca and a nice quit night of rest.

bah humbug

Knife Culture

2007-06-30T11:55:00.001+01:00

Mr Stabby, la la la la .. goes the excellent song.

Operations such as blunt, involving knife amnesties and bins at police stations and other venues have had some success's , school educations, online video's , music , support groups , tv shows , even so far as an online game from the met police.

But still we have young men killing young men on the streets with knifes.

I have often wrote about the culture of the gun, and this is an equal and possibly even more devastating current weapon of choice for todays youth.

So, some say they carry a knife for self protection, and think thats ok.
Well it ain't , you are more likely to be killed by the weapon you carry.

In this day and age when pressures are placed on the judiciary and prisons, do we need a legislative change to deal with those who carry knifes ?

I know I have personally had many run in's with oiks and knifes , i have been slashed once on my forearm and stabbed in the leg , both times the courts only set a very lenient penalties to the defendant (Twat) , or is that the judicatories feelings towards those who police the streets ?

Many, many officers have died by the knife , how many more need to do so before we see a real change in government, law and protection for all in these times.

I'm all ears to hear the thoughts of others...

Where did I park my car ?

2007-06-29T17:46:00.000+01:00

Any one seen my car ?
Anyone notice It didn't have a parking ticket...
Be safe,Keep safe folks.

If you think you have seen a person acting suspiciously, or if you see a vehicle, unattended package or bag which might be a threat ?

Immediately move away and call 999.

If you think that you may have seen something suspicious or you are unsure about somebody’s activities or behavior, however insignificant it may seem at the time, call the Anti-Terrorist hot line on 0800 789 321. Calls are taken in confidence by specialist officers who will analyze your information. They’ll decide if and how to follow it up. Your call could be vital to us however unsure you may be.

Linkies

2007-06-27T21:42:00.000+01:00

I was clicking on the old side bar to read some of my fellow chis's and noted some have been carted of to borstal.

So if you fancy a side bar link email me , as I will be updating soon !

-tbl.

NIE Exam resutls

2007-06-21T08:01:00.000+01:00

The NIE exam results were posted to the Met police yesterday via email to those who sat the exam , Congratulations to all those who have passed the first hurdle in becoming a DC

I studied with a group called http://www.policepass.co.uk/
A trio of welsh men that are far better at teaching that playing rugby, or drinking in the pub after , mind you I have now been told that good detectives do not come cheap , thin or sober !

I highly recommend if your doing your part one OSPRE or NIE exam the police pass course is the best there is around.

I am also very pleased to be one of those who passed the exam and I now await my DC's Course as my next step.

Bring on the drink...

Pc Jonathan Charles Henry

2007-06-17T11:31:00.000+01:00

Dear Lord, be with me on my beat
this day and every day.
Grant that each weary block I walk,
may ease a brothers way.
Let me be kindly to the old
and to the young, be strong~
But let me triumph over those
whose acts are cruel and wrong.
And if according to your plan,
I am to lose my life,
Please bless with your protecting hand
my children and my wife.

Pc Jonathan Charles Henry
Died 11 June 2007 , aged 36

Life on mars

2007-06-01T18:48:00.001+01:00

Like a flashback of Sam Tyler in life on mars,
If you piss the DCI off expect to become

PCSO STEVE

Oh well..

Good luck Steve, I bet you don't have to fill out 5090's

Shooting

2007-05-06T12:53:00.000+01:00

A police officer has been shot dead and another person killed at a house in Shropshire.

West Mercia Police said officers were called to an address in New Park Road, in the Castlefields area of Shrewsbury at 0610 BST on Sunday.

A statement read: "We can confirm two people died in this incident and the Independent Police Complaints Commission has been informed".

A police helicopter was seen over the area on Sunday morning.

The IPCC said it was sending an investigator to assess the scene.

A spokesman said something of a "serious nature" must have happened for the IPCC to have received a referral.

He added that a police officer being killed would be something the commission would be called into investigate.

West Mercia Police are expected to release more details later.

My thoughts and prayers go out to all families concerned.

Red lights

2007-04-24T18:54:00.000+01:00

If you think you can run a red light on your pedal cycle anywhere near me, be warned you will get a fixed penalty notice, and if you fail to pay I will come knocking to arrest you for non payment of fines.

This week I found out from the court on my regular visits that 8 of my last issued FPN's for failing to stop at a red light I issued last year to a number of pedal cyclist had not paid the court and failed to show on a summons.

So I applied for a few warrants today and arrested all 8 at their places of work and carted them all off to court. Harsh ? probably but it isn't my fault they chose to ignore the courts of this land. One gentleman employed by a large English bank decided to vent his anger at the magistrate and was found in contempt of court and was taken down to the cells to appear again tomorrow morning when he has "cooled his heels"

I note with interest today on the BBC news again about red lights and cyclists, well boyo's do it around me and expect a ticket.

nuff said.

The results are out

2007-04-16T08:32:00.000+01:00

Well this years round of OSPRE part One exam results are here, and I have Passed, let the party begin !

Congratulations to all those who sat in that horrible hall and passed the exam.

Better luck next time to all those looking at a resit ..

Oh dear, does this mean I have to grow up now ?

Roll on the Detective exam later this year !

The way of the gun

2007-02-16T10:42:00.000Z

As readers of my blog have no doubt deduced that I work in south London the recent shootings have been headline news for the last week.

So are we saying that these young teenagers are running around with guns ? I don't agree

Is it a parental supervision issue ?

Is there any real answer to these awful crimes. I know there is no simple solution and only a multi faceted approach will ever begin to address these issues , but also its worth to note that is not just a black community issue but a whole community issue.

What I do know is that these young men in all likely hood never envisaged that their world would end so quickly and so brutality and no doubt the families are devastated, my thoughts and sympathies goes out to those left behind.

What are your thoughts ?

Monday

2007-01-30T08:27:00.000Z

Monday

Got to work at Six thirty am, Shift starts at seven.
Changed, showered and at my desk by Six fifty.
Fire up the computer log in with one of my many passwords
I have to remember this month.

Log in to the crime reporting system to have a look at my assigned work today. 32 Crime on the books, five left over from last week.

Break down is 22 Burglary type offences, 10 reports of stolen mobile phones. Oh hum.

Fire up my email - 147 emails since Friday, over half are stupid administrator emails telling me my email account is full and I need to delete emails, sent every hour on the hour since late Sunday afternoon. ( pointless message ) Delete all the crap.

Rest of the team arrives in drips and drabs and the call for tea & coffee goes out.
I review my work file and Identify which of the 32 crimes require my immediate attention in order of seriousness of the offence and any time constraints or possible leads/ chance of solving the crime. Out of the 22 reported burglaries I identify that only half are actual burglaries and the rest are possible criminal damage but reported as burglaries due to stupid home office counting rules. Conduct basic checks on the address and victims and intelligence system checks.

I start ringing around the home owners and I make 5 appointments to visit their houses , leaving messages to contact me at the rest.
(Each visit will take about 1 hour including been present with the Scene of crime officer )

So far I have spent 2 hour's at work and have accounted for the next 5.

Various trips to peoples homes, asses the crime, look for leads, door to door enquires , list stolen items , give crime prevention advice and give the member of the public the police service they expect.

Five hours later, only two of the burglaries has possible forensic leads one in the form of a fingerprint the latter even better , spit left in the kitchen by the scummy burglar.

Return to station Via Costa coffee and Nando's for energy supply's , Update the crime reports with my findings so far. Pick up left messages from the other victims and arrange to attend during various times during the week and tomorrow.

Spend the next half hour responding to Senior management team emails that are running around like headless chickens about the weekend figures been so high, reassure them by pointing out only 11 burglaries actually happened in the last 2 days ..

Update my appointments book, ensure the Crime scene officer has sent of the fingerprint and swab for testing.

Log off.

Gone.

Soft on Crime, Soft on the causes of Crime

2007-01-24T10:00:00.000Z

With recent events in the news of escapee's from prison the home office to be split in two and now that Mr Reid is asking judges to reduce the numbers of criminals sentenced to custody ,

I have to ask .. is this the labour government who was voted in ?

Are they really tough on crime ?

I also remember another catch phrase " education etc.." and look at that ? Now I don't generally comment on politics but one has to wonder where the hell is Blair taking us ?

Is this the legacy he is really going to leave ? oh do you want a PND ?... I have targets to make before the end of the counting year... I'll do you a special deal ( Honest )

Show me the money

2006-12-08T11:05:00.000Z

Greetings, I hope you are all well and looking forward to the seasons festivities and that you were all smart enough to have booked your holidays now for next years Christmas last minute aid interferences.

We enter the time of the office parties, the department dinners, the teams pissups and the units trip to the seaside resort of your choice, no doubt the usual batch of stories will filter up, the police service is not immune to the Christmas party mistakes ... we are also in full fly of the annual antidrink drive campaign that lasts the festive period then we are tasked to some other equality meaningful priority as soon as possible, and begs the question where are all the traffic officers gone?

Of course all this drink and fun brings its usual community policing skills to the fore of the lost mobile phone while drunk revilers crawl in to the stations shouting “ honest officer it was pick pocked, can I have a crime number for my insurance please “ – which then inevitably follows the “drunk” later after reviewing cctv and speaking to the network provider resulting in their arrest and £80 fine or charge. Why report a crime that did not happen? We do check you know…

Myself I have had my head firmly stuck in Blackstone’s and various other books in the vain attempt to get bits of obscure law in to my grey matter as the 2007 March OSPRE Part One exam looms on with ever increasing speed… I must be mad to want to be a sergeant; this of course has meant I have neglected this blog however I have not forgotten about it.

Thanks to all of you who sent emails of concern regaling my welfare, I am still alive and no I haven’t been carted of some dark coroner of the Met.

Have a fantastic and safe Christmas, and I will write before then I am sure.

PS. Oh we got the 3% .... lucky us.

TTBL.

Oh dear

2006-08-12T14:36:00.000+01:00

Oh bugger.

Any one got some tips for air travel ? I had planned on flying with Ryan air and skipping out on the extra charge for luggage by using hand luggage however it appears some naughty people have scuppered that idea. I would love to hear from anyone who was affected by the recent actions and restrictions now in place, drop me a line.
On more interesting news the Proceeds of crime act has lowered the bar for cash seizures , This has dropped from Five thousand to a meager One thousand pounds (Or believed to be that amount) that can be seized under POCA if it is believed to be ill gotten gains. Interesting times ahead I think here. Just dont forget to bring the court fee when you make your application, filling in an expence form later is a right pain in the backside.

Once again in this post I am drawing attention to the fantastic BIKESAFE program.
If your a fellow 2 wheel head, you should - nay must get yourself on this program at some point
It will save lifes.

Blessed sleep

2006-08-01T22:10:00.000+01:00

I envy my response/team colleagues, Shift patterns mean they get sleep at some point.
Late hours and long working periods , weekend on - cover & night duty all on top of prisoner that are proper long cases have meant that I am cream crackered.

This time of the year its not helped with people on holidays and annual leave meaning that the work of 4 is been done by two - just.

Yea sure there are all the regs about workhours etc , but I can tell you Mrs TBL is not best pleased. I am sure new shoes will be the order of the day with my pay packet no doubt about that.

There has so much been going on in the media that I leave it to those better able to argue points to address all the goings on, but I do despair with the level of violence of the assaults I have been dealing with lately.

I think I am just dog tired.

There is light at the end of the tunnel and its not that of an on coming train.
Holidays loom for myself towards the end of the month, Mrs TBL and I will be getting out of this country to some where not quite so hot !

Oh I am rambling now.
Good night, sleep well.

e-MAIL

2006-07-08T18:10:00.000+01:00

A special thanks to a reader for sorting me out a free google email address
thethinblueline@gmail.com

Cheers! Spam away folks !

It is now.

2006-07-01T18:48:00.000+01:00

Its all over now ..

Is it now time for Sven to go ?

Should Rooney get a kicking ?

Any one off to Nandos for refs ?

... bring me back some peri peri nuts.

Should we ?

2006-06-27T17:24:00.000+01:00

Well, would you ? Should we ?

Is it an option for response officers attending a call ? Should we still have to rely on our excellent and well trained Armed colleges to make a dash from where ever they are to assist ?

Its almost one year on since the tragic incident with Jean Charles de Meneze, have we moved on?

How many more police officers have to be shot, stabbed and murdered before there is a change in policy ?

A day out with friends

2006-06-24T12:31:00.000+01:00

There I was, suited and booted, pressed clean and tidy - the eight large bound box files and big plastic bag of exhibits in the boot of the car, yes it was a court day.

A long running investigation of mine based on a habitual prolific burglar was coming to the end, he had been found arrested and charged with over 8 domestic burglaries and I the officer in charge of the case now at crown court.

Forensic, witness ,CCTV and ID evidence all tied up and in tow for what I understood was going to be a full blown trial, So far he had pleaded not guilty at the previous hearings etc, I estimated I had spent over 22 full work days (10+) hour days on this single person while conducting my other investigations and had been the reason for my lack of sleep and lack of updates on the site.

however the light was oncoming and this time it was not that of an oncoming train.

Court !

After struggling getting the papers and exhibit to the police room, I ventured of to find the cps prosecutor.
Then the world went dark.

. Where are the papers officer...
. I have mine in the police room ...
.. no where is my copy...
.. whut > ...

.. I haven’t read the case yet ... can you tell me in five minutes what’s it all about....

I felt like screaming... this was not funny.

Then my lucky angel came to the rescue.. At the door of the court he changed his plea to guilty.
(He had seen me struggle into court with all the gear and had recognised me!)

Oh thank god for that... no doubt the cps will claim it as a success.

Professional? You decide.

I want to ride my bicycle

2006-06-09T08:58:00.000+01:00

While doing a bit of research for my global plan for world domination I have come the conclusion that cyclists need to be regulated.

Yes you heard me.

I firmly believe all users of the highways and by ways must have in some form 3rd party insurance. Oh no I hear you cry...

I firmly believe that all bicycles should be registered and bear a unique registration code. Oh no I hear you cry...

Ideas and comments welcome.

( don't ask about how to admin it all - im not a civil servant )

Burglary.... oh

2006-06-04T11:06:00.000+01:00

I wonder, how many of my readers are using a laptop ?

I know all are using some form of computer to connect to the internet...
I know most of you will have some form of ipod/digital camera and in all likely hood a mobile phone and various other techie gagets...

Now here is a question, how many of you have the serial numbers / IEMI number or have marked your property ?

Could you prove your ownership of your techie tools ?
Are they marked with smartwater, datadots, Uv pens and the like ?

Is your property on the Immobilse database ?

Why not..... you have the internet , you do not have any excuse.

Register it, and at least give us a chance to catch the handlers and pondlife as they pass the goods around..

I am not English, however.....

2006-06-01T23:03:00.000+01:00

Disclaimer : I am not English, I am not even British, but take pride in your heritage and fly your flag

Drinking and driving ... Again !

2006-05-12T08:10:00.000+01:00

There must be some sort of "just in the right place" angel that has been following me lately.

On my way home from another day at the coal face of dirty CID work ( office lunch ) I was heading home on my motorbike when I witnessed a personal injury road traffic accident.

A cyclist was leaving a roundabout a short distance in front of me and was just about to exit when from his left a large estate motor vehicle failed to stop at the stop line and carried on to the round about at some turn of speed and knocked down the cyclist ... When I say knocked down it was more like sent flying into the air to be deposited with a bone crunching thud behind the car after traveling over the roof. I duly pulled over and raced over to the now prone former cyclist.

thankfully nothing more than a few scrapes and cuts, the driver on the otherhand staggered over to us both and reeked of alcohol.... This was at about 4pm in the afternoon midweek.

I placed a call on my mobile to the yard asking for an ambulance to check out the cyclist in case of underlying injuries and for a marked unit to attend to report and breath test this man.

He gave a positive result to the roadside test and was arrested .

It is a constant battle against those who think its ok to drink and drive, and those who have this cavalier attitude put others lives at risk more than their own.

Its quite simple, to figure out - Do not drink and drive ... EVER .. There is NO SAFE limit.

PND

2006-05-06T15:26:00.000+01:00

Just a cautionary note to the wise,
One of the tools of the modern police service is now the common place PND ( penalty notice for disorder )
There are two levels a £40 and £80 fine.

An interesting point to note. .. Is that it must be issued by an officer in uniform..

One to remember if your in a plain clothes department.
oops :)

Work work work...

2006-04-17T11:50:00.000+01:00

Hi,
I must say it’s been a while, and it has been due to the workload!
I have literally been getting up going direct to work, doing about 14 hours a day and coming home directly to bed, rinse and repeat...

On top of all this I have been squeezing in gym sessions and eating more healthy and as a result I have lost 2 stone! Clearly I am doing something right. But at the expense of having some form of a social life.

I haven’t posted about the met's policy on blogging, mainly because its fairly straight forward and sensible and I see little to worry about it, I am sorry to see some blogs stop of course, that will always be the authors decision on the matter anyway.

There has been a lot in the news about officers been shot, injured and murdered recently and it brings home how dangerous this job really is, it’s easy to forget how violent the world can really get. My thoughts and best wish’s go out to all those effected by such trauma.

A few days a go I heard good news and that my TDC application (application to train as a detective constable) had been approved by the board and I will soon be embarking on my detective training! Oh noes more study .. ha.

Just gimme the drugs...

2006-03-19T19:26:00.000Z

Further to my last post,
I am back home now and on good olde pain medicine ... and it is yummy!
I am surprised however about the lack of seeing any of the management or senior officers popping in to check that I really am Ill! I am sure that my crime list is getting longer an no doubt the crime management unit have sent me loads of emails and memos to do some such pointless thing...

I must say I am a bit miffed by the absence of anyone popping in to check that I was in hospital and not on a jolly in some far-flung sunny place...

I suppose they know how much they pay me...

Oh Bugger

2006-03-13T11:19:00.000Z

Hi,
Sorry for the lack of post’s, I have undoubtedly been sidelined with a hospital stay, All is well, and I am doing fine –
A minor road traffic collision necessitated me having a few days while they do x-rays and scans an all other malarkey.
However I now have limited internet (yay!) in the form of an hp Ipaq to while away the hours. (Thanks darling!)

Once I figure out how to use it to post that is.

Notices

2006-03-06T12:49:00.000Z

Two years and a little bit more and May is looming on the horizon, its the time the new copper takes a look at where he or she is , and takes stock of where he or she wants to be this time next year.

Open posts and vacancies are advertised internally on what is called police notices, here lists of new police officers, transferee , resignations and other useful and interesting tit bits are recorded and published for all to pick over.

Of course on spotting something you quite fancy comes the inevitable application form and the associated paperwork !

They say a change is as good as a move, and thinking about that it always seems that the station is in a constant state of flux with new officers joining and those transferring to other boroughs and forces, even internal changes with department moves and promotions - it is easy to loose touch with friends.

With that in mind I have started a ball rolling about the old Hendon class I was with and looking to have some sort of re union or at least some form of pub bash... Yes yes , So what would make a good bash, I ask you ?

Take care

2006-02-19T22:20:00.000Z

BikeSafe .. nuff said
isnt it ?

Ron Greenwood 1921-2006

2006-02-09T15:41:00.000Z

I'm forever blowing bubbles,
Pretty bubbles in the air,
They fly so high,
Nearly reach the sky,
And like my dreams,
They fade and die,
Fortunes always hiding,
I looked everywhere,
I'm forever blowing bubbles,
Pretty bubbles in the air.

The Hammers ™

Whois - Whodunnit ?

2006-02-09T14:55:00.000Z

Interesting this incident, It merits a watchful eye over the coming months.
Click here

Lost paperwork

2006-02-06T18:55:00.000Z

I like to think I am professional and responsible, someone who accepts their workload and acts in a diligent and efficient manner.

That means I have all my casefile work on the old harddrive at work and make copies of statements that I keep to hand on file in case of hiccups as I don't trust other buggers not to fudge it.

Well bully for me.

It seems these last few days the CPS however have made repeated attempts to land me in the proverbial shitter
So far THIS month and bear in mind its the 6th !

They have :

1) Lost an entire set of case papers
A) I found them in the cps office under a coffee maker ruined.

2) Lost a set of MG 6 series and then attempted to say they didn't get it.
B) They were sent and a CPU supervisor has signed them - had to print them off again

3) Issued me a court warning when I am due to be out of the country (Ignored duty system)
C) 728 Sent to C/Insp and court date moved.

4) Refused to give ADVICE on a MONDAY because and I quote... "Mondays are for custody cases'" and there was " NO ONE IN CUSTODY "
d) I have submitted a complaint.....

I don't know about you, but I have wasted a whole days worth with this.
The CPS have a mission statement which you can read here

Well now lets see Mondays are for custody cases.... Surely Monday is to bloody late and if they are from over night, we will have contacted CPS direct. Who btw I have NO problem with at all, just email or fax the whole lot over and about an hour later you get an email back with an MG3 !

As for loosing paperwork.. That gets my goat. I really feel embarrassed to have a witness sign a second copy of their statement because some faceless paper monkey has lost it and sent me an email saying they never got it. Something VERY wrong there.

So my advice to any of you dealing with heavy case loads is two fold

Save every casefile - file on your computer in a case folder
Make Copies of ALL statements and exhibits and keep them.

Its simple as A.B.C.

Accept nothing
Believe no one
Confirm everything

Confirmed

2006-01-28T11:50:00.000Z

Well lucky me,

that's it folks, all the paperwork has been signed and stamped.
As of a few days ago I was properly confirmed in the role of police constable.

Let the party and drinking commence.

So what now, Well I am working with the suits at the moment, which appears on the face of it more adult and practical police work. (less of the knee jerk reaction to graphs and tables)

The last few days have been busy busy busy , working weekend on with just the team of four and the Ds. I am not quite sure if I want to write about what's gone on, its hardly exciting stuff just getting down and arresting and processing members of the public who have committed offences. There is just one thing I will never understand tho, why do they lie even when we tell them (sic) we have all the evidence to hand. Is there some secret I am not privy to ?

Ms Dynamite sentenced

2006-01-20T08:44:00.000Z

So Ms Dyamite has been sentenced,
The result.

To Pay £50 Costs and a £500 fine, a £750 Compensation to the constable assaulted and 60 hours community service.

Now before we all get on the moral high horse, personaly think that's a fair sentence for an open hand slap across the face.

However, time and time again we have examples of those before the judiciary getting a low level fine and been told to be quite that the personal financial background limits the level of fine as well as the powers of the magistrates court.

Hang on - you telling me that she could only afford this ? £1300 !
I think some one needs a tax audit.

Ost

2006-01-19T12:00:00.000Z

The regular Officer safety training days are also used to address changes in the law and predictable updates on health and legislation also if any changes have been brought in to current methods or changes is policy.
After all it will Officer safety training classes that will inevitably be responsible for training in any new personal safety equipment - they do the firearms training for using CS spray.
So my little fuzzy brain wanted to ask you out there in number of hours - how many hours a year do you think we are currently trained and how much do you expect us to be trained ?

oh and Officer safety training is not the same as the emergency life saving training we get.

Ps. where is my taser?

The Manor

2006-01-17T11:17:00.000Z

Ouch,
The daystar burns my eyes. Yes I participated in a late night session with the other suits. It was proportional, it certainly was over the legal limit, I think the Ds & Di were definitely accountable for the state everyone got into and it was most definitely necessary.

Team bonding. Yes it is a lovely thing.

I am quite fortunate I think as the Team I have joined have all just either transferred in or moved over to the station to add a new team to the departments rota - The only exception was the DS & DI who I knew quite well from the 6 months working in the prisoner processing team.

I feel a bit naked going to work in a shirt and tie that is not white and black. I also feel a lot better that I am not in a uniform and that I am that little bit more approachable .(Yes I have had comments about that ! ) So far I have ducked any major work due to clearing my workplate from Christmas however this will be my first weekend "on" where I will be working a 10 day stretch over the weekend. Cross your fingers !

Now where did I put that aspirin ?

Dynamite coughs up

2006-01-14T09:41:00.000Z

So little Ms Dynamite puts her hands up and pleads guilty to the offences of assaulting a police officer and disorderly conduct yet her brother Kingsley Daley pleaded not guilty to a charge of obstructing police !

she's back on Tuesday for sentencing !

I know a lot of people must think its appears to be a bit trivial however even officers have the right to work in an environment and expect not to be assaulted every waking moment of work.

Yes it is a robust role, however those in the public limelight and are current youth role models cannot be excused of this sort of behavior which is clearly alcohol fueled

This is not the first time Ms Dynamite has been touched by the law for assault. Back in SeptemberMs Dynamite had a brush with an allegation of assault that the police declined to prosecute Ms Dynamite for.

Lets see what the good old judiciary come up with.

The long ride

2006-01-09T20:45:00.000Z

It was only a few days ago I wrote about the danger of cycling.
What a tragedy on Sunday the deaths of the cyclists in Wales, my thoughts and wishes go out to all their family's,loved ones and friends

While it appears to be at this stage a tragic accident we should never forget that metal is stronger than flesh.
The roads are a dangerous place and should be treated with respect and care.

I noted when I spoke about tickets for those who commit road traffic offences on pedal cycles and motorists who blatantly ignore stop lines I got a few interested readers from cyclingplus
I read the forum and posts on the subject and while I agree with many of the posts there I see the leak of the loonies seep in.

For the record - Police officers are people just like you. Until certain members of the public accept that and remove their own stereotypes of power hunger badge welding Nazi's they are no better than those who commit hate offences them selves.

I am probably going to get hammered for this post, but I detest all forms of hate crime and bigotry. The only people I dislike are those who commit offences, even then I treat them with respect and professionalism.

Be safe, be seen.
Wear your safety gear and ride carefully folks

Dynamite result

2006-01-07T11:53:00.000Z

Award winning rapper Ms Dynamite has been charged with assaulting a female police officer after a fracas outside a London nightclub.

"A 25-year-old was charged with assaulting a female police officer and with disorderly conduct on January 6," a Metropolitan police spokeswoman said on Saturday.

Ms Dynamite, real name Niomi McLean-Daley, won the coveted Mercury Music Prize for her album "A Little Deeper" in 2002 and has won a string of prizes since, including Brit Awards and MOBOs (Music of Black Origin).

The star's brother, Kingsley Daley, 22, was charged with obstructing the police, while a women, Carlene Godwin, 24 was charged with creating a public disorder in connection with the incident.

All three will appear before Bow Street Magistrates Court on Jan 13, police said.

LONDON (Reuters)

Now I ask you is this the type of basic disrespect and depths that today's young adults have. Great message you sent out there. Lets see what the magistrates do.

Bets and comments on the sentence folks...

Let it snow

2006-01-07T10:06:00.000Z

Can you see what it is yet Rolf ?

True to my word

2006-01-05T21:41:00.000Z

I knew It would happen.

Out on enquires collecting CCTV and witness statements I was making my way back in the crappy little panda car and sitting at a red light with an advance stop line and green box when I noted another driver pull up along side me and drive slowly in to the green box and over the advance stop line.

oh dear.

I made eye contact with the driver and indicated pointing down at the road to draw his attention to the markings to which he blankly looked at me and started to slowly pull forward again.

The blue lights went on and I pulled the driver over on the other side of the lights
The conversation went like this ( abbrv for clarity )

Me. Sir are you aware that the white line is a stop line ?
Him. But there was no one in front of me

Me. The green area is for pedal cycles your driving a car
Him. yea so im in a hurry

Me. Inform the driver that he is getting a ticket etc etc
Him. Cant you find some thing better to do and catch real criminals

Me. Sir if you didn't commit this offence I would be. Here's your ticket.
Him. Drives off in a huff

Me. Gets back in car and drives off

2 hours later.

Control . Control to TBL - Oscar unit on speak thru to you regarding your last stop.
Oscar unit . yea that last stop and ticket you dished out ?

Me. yea

Oscar unit . yea well we have just processed your man for failing to stop at a red ats and a few others and PG9'd his car FYI.

Me. heheheh

oh the joy.

A Cowboy's Work is Never Done

2006-01-05T21:22:00.000Z

Ride...I used to jump my horse and ride
I had a six-gun at my side
I was so handsome women cried
And I got shot but I never died

I could play if I'd do everything he'd say
Girls seemed to just get in his way
Those days we weren't considered fun
A cowboy's work is never done

He'd fight crime all the time, he'd always win
Till his mom would break it up and call him in
He was tough, he was hard, but he was fine
And he was slow 'cause guys like him were hard to find

Ride...I'd like to ride again someday
I think I still know how to play
I play games now but it's not fun
A cowboy's work is never done.

DNA !

2006-01-04T23:04:00.000Z

So yea watching the news it appears that there is some complaint about the figures on the dna database

Pisst just a quick one, every police officer is also on the database as to eliminate any crime scene contamination samples. How many officers now is it ?

To be honest I think its a great tool, but a tool nonethe less that is tempered with investigation and judicial over view in the courts.

I wonder how every body else feels about this system ?

Oh and according to my lovely new 2006 diary on January the 4th 1981 British police arrested Peter Sutcliffe the "Yorkshire ripper" I guess that must have cleared a few crime figures.

So much for that

2006-01-04T14:07:00.000Z

Well the best laid plans of men and mice etc.
today I have spent the better half taking statements from witness to serious crime no, wait sorry no such thing, I mean an Indictable offence.

If you read the odd police blog you may have heard reference to the Five part police statement and a good model it is as well. What you may not have had or seen/know of is the part were officers before taking a statement should make notes and then write the statement.

Today for two statements I took 4 pages of notes for the first statement that resulted in a 8 page full statement and the second I took 5 pages that also resulted in an 10 page statement

This took me 5 hours in all to take two statements! HARK I hear you cry how come ?

Well if you want a job done right..
These statements are going to be read by my colleges , boss, supervisors, CPS , barrister and a plethora of people involved in the judicial system that I feel its right to get as much details and clarity in them as possible.

Others would think I have wasted time. I don't think so.
During the statement taking I am also representing the face of the Met police to the witness and victims of crime. Been professional and meticulous is not wasting time in my eyes

So Mr Supervisor who thinks we can "bash out a quick statement , take you 20 mins" go boil your head.

Back to work

2006-01-03T20:38:00.000Z

Well by now most of the working world will have been back to work or going back in the next few days if we were not smart enough or had any holiday leave left to take to work of those extra few mince pie pounds.

I have got my new time table, a desk, a phone and a empty four drawer filling cabinet and a new boss. A quick look at the Crime system on the old computer I also have 32 crime's that have been "screened" in to me to investigate. I just glanced at them rather than properly take a decent look today. I will make a start on the pile tomorrow.

I also have spend all my lovely chrimbo money in next snapping up all those shirts, and shiny trousers that will
befit my low level pay :) With a bit of luck I will be getting away from the detection game of volume crime the beat crimes department dealt with, no doubt there will still be the home office targets etc to meet but less of the pointless paper shift and report making for the records!. I have also finally booked my UK driving test since its just coming up to two years here and I need a UK license to progress in my police driving skills !

Happy new year and all that Jazz

2006-01-03T10:55:00.000Z

Happy new year folks,
I wish you all a good new year and good luck in all your adventures and projects in the coming year.

See ya's all on the flip side ! TBL

Cyclist OI NO !

2005-12-20T12:00:00.000Z

Right, I used to be fairly laid back about a lot of minor traffic matters but henceforth that will cease.

After riding my motorbike home late last night and watching a pedal cyclist ignore a stop line and a red light to get promptly whacked by a truck, I dashed over to aid the rider, the first words out of his mouth was. " its that fucking trucks fault for not stopping" Jesus..

No.. If I can and it warrants it (ie. I am on foot or pedal cycle ) and I see a cyclist go thru a red light anymore you are getting a ticket. Simple as that

FPN - RED LIGHT PEDAL CYCLE
FPN - FOOTPATH

Until people get it in to their heads the RED LIGHT MEANS STOP !

Oh and if your a fellow motorist and you think its ok to pull in to the Green box past the ADVANCED STOP LINE - Say hello to a ticket as well.

Ohhh bye bye uniform!

2005-12-15T09:00:00.000Z

For the last two years I have been turning up for work and getting in to my nice clean crisp uniform. I am nearing the end of my posting to the prisoner processing team and I have been informed that I will be spending the next year attached to the main office CID unit as a PC!

So this Christmas I have been dropping the hint I need shirts, lots of them.
I must say I am looking forward to the challenge and the investigative side of the CID, with any bit of luck it will be less of the volume crime I have been dealing with in the PPT and more interesting stuff.

No doubt I will return to uniform after a year or so, and probably study for my Part one sergeants exam, who knows.

I do feel slighly odd, as I was under the impression that I would have to but in a lot more years to get posted to CID, and it is probably the result of the lager numbers of police officers now in service that "just out of probabtion" officers get chances like this.

I also this month been filling out this as I am no spring chicken, and the house needs paying off, the wife needs to be kept in the lifestyle she is accustomed to and holidays cost wonga :)

o/

2005-12-11T12:51:00.000Z

Hello to bloggers,
Worldwearydetective
Uklawofficer
Blog of blogs and
PC Brian

SOCPA 2005

2005-12-10T14:55:00.000Z

You what now...
When I joined up two years ago and started my training in Hendon I remember a tutor telling me not to worry to much about studying and getting stuff learned off by heart in regard to police powers and only worry about the actual law stuff (you know what is robbery , theft etc) He said they change like the wind.

Well hello the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 and in particular good bye to section 25 of pace and greetings to Code G ! I have been reading these new changes and at first glance it all seems good.

I though I would do this quick first post now - I will have a longer debate about these changes to powers of arrest and search.

What I will say is these are "supposed" to come into effect from midnight of the 31st of December 2005.

So where is the training ? Hello >

Pinch punch

2005-12-01T07:42:00.000Z

Season’s greetings –
Well December is finally here and so begins the drinking in earnest!
Not forgetting the office parties! whoo hoo.

If your getting prezzies sorted for your loved ones, take a look at this

Enjoy all and be safe.

Aid, what !

2005-11-30T09:57:00.000Z

Oh sweet b****, Aid, what does it mean. Well it usually means getting in to your nice clean crisp uniform and getting in to a back of a van with fellow cohorts and been whisked away to perform a public order role, all be it a sporting event, public gathering, a specific policing role or an operation.I will talk about operations. Getting up before the crack of dawn and huddled into a cramped room with dozens of other officers not necessarily ones you have ever met before and getting a PowerPoint presentation of an operation before the first cup of coffee and bacon sarnine is not my first choice to start the day.

Once all the assignments and the job roles have been handed out and having been given the “aim of to day is to … “ it’s the dash to the canteen for the “operational feeding” bullet beans and toast whoo hooo. (You can feel the love) and then on the bus.

Get to where you are going and get off the bus.
Then get back on the bus.
Get to where you are going and get off the bus.
Then get back on the bus.

You can see where this is going.

Then you get nice juicy jobs like this or maybe even jobs like this which I had the pleasure of last year.

This is a different style of police work. This is public order. This is not your “bobby” on the beat and hey, this seems to be the way the drinking nights seem to be going at the moment thanks to the new drinking laws. Of course we would not want to be soft on crime now would we! And we want to make sure that we don’t want to send out confusing messages to the public who of course all carry forms of ID that makes dealing on the street oh so much easer.

Don’t forget police powers of arrest all change soon !

I bet that’s going to hurt… I wonder if any one will bother to train us on these new laws or will we have to figure it out for ourselves as usual

Late one (Times two)

2005-11-27T11:57:00.000Z

So like yea, I have been working Friday and Saturday on late turn prisoner duty, dealing with the post arrest of response officers, Its not one of the most favorite aspect of police work however I do enjoy the interviews and investigation of offences and offenders.

This weekend however has been a nightmare.
A break down of the work I had to deal with my fellow mukka had

Friday Night 1600 hours to 0400

9 arrests for ABH * ( 3 linked to same incident )
4 arrests for affray
6 arrests for drunk & disorderly
19 prisoner to deal with

On Saturday night 1600 hours to 0400

5 arrests for serious public disorder ( all related)
2 arrests for points and blades
3 arrests for Offensive weapons
another 6 Drunk & disorderly
3 arrests section 5 public order
2 arrests possession of controlled substances
and 1 for theft

22 !

As a result of this as you can quickly work out working weekend on end you up while quite a workload to get shifted before the next weekend on ( 4 weeks rota )
Interviews,statements,CCTV enquires,medical statements, photos, background and intelligence checks let alone any housing office or partnership involvement !

Suffice to say it was manic did niggle me was this simple fact.

Alcohol played a part in every single one of these arrests, while none are what would be considered major it was apparant of the role of drink.

Are we going in the right step in 24 hour drinking, I await to see the results.
Oh and spare a thought for the A&E doctors and nurses that often get the dirty end of the stick with these things.

Battons, Cs , Tasers and Guns

2005-11-22T11:07:00.000Z

It is clear that we are moving towards a large debate in regards to police use of force and how the public want to be protected.

I personally think that if the police service is to be regularly armed as a whole a radical rethink in regard to the law is required the simple fact is we do not have a sufficient level of protection for officers on the street in law let alone in the event of using a firearm.

As it stands today a trained police firearms officer faces instant suspension from firearms duties on discharge of his or her weapon. They face criminal and civil legal action and these officers have volunteered for this duty ( Some officers face years upon years of legal action based on a split second decision that is picked over and over with 20/20 hindsight )

There a many many stories reported in the news about police and firearms and there use, I could spend a few minutes on the BBC website alone and find loads of relevant links , and people comment on a wild west shoot out if police are armed ! Guess what that already happens with armed criminals

In fact the number of offences involving firearms in England and Wales has been increasing each year since 1997, according to the Home Office.

Firearms incidents recorded by the police have nearly trebled in eight years.
Provisional figures released last month showed that firearms offences had increased by 5 per cent on last year (2004) , to a total of 11,160. There were 4,903 such offences in 1997.

What about batons - What about CS - What about tazers

Suffice to say this topic will be brought up time and time again when a tradigy strikes, but an important thing to remember is that the police service is already armed

Still we wouldn't want to be soft on crime now would we ?

Oh and as a military trained marksman, I can safely say there are some officers I am glad will never be issued a firearm !

In memory

2005-11-21T10:33:00.000Z

http://www.policememorial.org.uk/

Since 1680 many have given their lives you shall never be forgotten.

http://www.ukcops.org/

Chop Chop

2005-11-17T08:43:00.000Z

At last the murder of the laurel tree and spruce tree is complete. It took a number of long hours to finish the job up and cut them both into little bits for disposal, as you can see I have only the carcass of the spruce to hide now and I think the neighbor's might have noticed something going on.

I highly recommend chainsaws to all those who need to 'cut up' any evidence but make sure you wear the appropriate safety gear and dispose off any potentially forensic evidence after the fact.

Now with both tree's absent from garden roll call the place will get a lot more sun in the afternoons and looking at the area now it is clear how much space that laurel was taking up. The shed however had a last minute reprieve as shelter for the tools and for me during rainfall at the whole hideous incident, however it has been served with a compulsory purchase order and it too like many buildings in the east of London is doomed to be demolished (In time for the Olympics of course)

Last night while flicking trough the 200 or so channels forced on me by SKY tv I saw my glorious leader Sir Ian Blair on the magic silver window in the corner. It was the Richard Dimbleby lecture and I watched it with mild interest befitting a serving met police officer, I will leave the debate of that to those who can place words more eloquently than I.

Alas I am also without my beloved bike this week as I have loveling placed her in for a service now that winter is clearly here on the doorstep, and I had to avail of public transport again this week. What a nightmare. I thought the rail network was getting better, yes sure the train rolling stock in nicer,cleaner safer and graffiti free, but byheck its still like getting on to a cattle train ! Overcrowded stuffy uncomfortable and degrading. People using the public transport system are still treated like livestock. It got so bad on one set of stairs I had to Identify my self as a police officer and take two well dressed business men aside and give them a dressing down for there pushing and shoving of others as they were in a 'rush' Good ole BTP officers noted the carry on and helped me and gave both a section 5 warning about there behavior and one gentleman remarked to the officer " bollox you cant fucking tell me what to do" and was swiftly taken away for his £80 fine. It appears that simple tact and courtesy is long dead in certain aspects of the gentlemen of London. I am sure he can afford the ticket judging by the Savile row suit

CCTv

2005-11-16T23:51:00.000Z

Hey If your thinking of spending a few quid on cctv for your home or business I have only this one tip - make sure it actually records, oh and can be transferred to some sort of removal media that is in current use. Just a thought .

In memory

2005-11-13T09:58:00.000Z

This is the first year since I came to the UK, that I will not be in some way be involved in remembrance Sunday I have lived in the UK for over 10 years now and today I will be visiting my old army barracks to pay respects to two good friends of mine that died in Kosovo !

I raise a pint of nukey brown to you !