09-February-2010

Why I don't trust the police

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I'm going to outline some reasons why I don't trust the police and why I believe they are ineffective. I have never been in trouble with the police until recently and I am in general a law abiding person. But when I came to university however, the police were suddenly very much involved with my life - and not for the good.

My first encounter involved me being beaten about the head several times by a guy who was kicking off because he had split up with his girl friend. I called the police who arrived long after it was all over. They failed report the incident properly and didn't find the guy, even though it was a Friday night and there ideally ought to have been a police presence in the city centre.

Then a few months later I was extremely drunk on a night out and was arrested for 'public nuisance'. I was also FALSELY accused of hitting someone - wrong place, wrong time I think! During my night in the cells I admit that I was being loud, banging on the cell door etc. and generally making a fool out of myself (I was very drunk). That did not excuse what happened next. The officers had obviously decided they wanted to shut me up. They barged into my cell and wrestled me to the floor banging my head on the way, putting my left arm so far up my back they dislocated my shoulder. He then slapped my head and told me to shut up.

I was left in shock and fearing I they would come in again and I didn't sleep all night. The next day after I got out and lodged a complaint and asked for custody reports. On here the police had changed several details about the events that took place stating I was aggressive and had 'lashed out' when they tried to give me a blanket (which they never did).

As my complaint progressed I became aware I was getting a lot of parking tickets, while cars on the same road were not getting any. It seemed I was seeing police everywhere. Then my car was broken into by someone who did not take anything just smashed the window and left the car stereo which they could have easily taken. The car was then towed as the police said they could not find me to tell me it had been broken into, another £110 to get it out. I had the window repaired the next day and while it was being done a police officer called who was not the one handling the case. He asked about the state of the car and I told him it had been repaired.

That night at 6.30pm the car was broken into again, nothing taken of course and the car was parked right outside my house! What criminal would do the same car twice and risk doing it a 6.30 in the evening!? I called the police who turned up 15 minutes later. No one was caught. By this time I suspected the police but continued with my claim anyway. A week later the police turned up at my door and I thought they may have found the criminals who broke into my car. But no, they told me I was under arrest for burglary!

I have never EVER had anything to do with something like that. They said my DNA (taken as due to my caution) had been found at the scene of a theft of some SWEETS from a cafe. Yes they kept me in a cell for 4 hours to question me over the theft of some confectionery. Guess who was the custody sergeant while I was being held? The guy I was lodging the complaint against and again I was somewhat nervous as I sat there for four hours.

After this experience I dropped my complaint deciding it was not worth all the hassle. My last encounter with the police has just reinforced my feelings about them. I was at home revising for an exam on a Saturday night. My house mates had gone to the pub and left the front door open. Next I know a random guy walks into my room! He was obviously looking for valuables left by unsuspecting students. When I challenged him he mumbled some excuse and ran out the door. Again I called the police who turned up THIRTY MINUTES LATER and of course caught no one.

I don't want be my own personal bobby. I would just like the police to act with some semblance of professionalism and actually catch some real thieves instead of intimidating me. The lack of professionalism and bullying tactics I have seen being used by police makes me worry every time I hear they are being given more powers. Powers such as taking DNA samples without our permission, or to make an arrest when they SUSPECT a terrorist.

Before we have a choice in the matter, they are being given even more powers to "fight crime". We should remember who we are giving these powers to - not only the good natured trustworthy police, but also the bad cops who may use these powers to intimidate innocent members of the public.

By: Peter

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I was sprayed cuffed kicked beat then arrested then my money was removed from my account that night for the stay guess thats leagal now my sister payed bail because they took my money I never broke a law but I learned if you say some thing the judge the police go to the same bbq

redlady 03-Feb-2010 06:39

Peter, that is a really spine chilling tale. I am currently feeling very bullied by the police! I had a bad car crash on Wednesday, where I slipped on ice and crashed into a school coach. My car was a total write off, but luckily my sister and I got out with just whiplash. I called the police, they came eventually , and the officer got out and demanded to know if either us were injured. He had the attitude of a pig and the aggression of a hungry wild bore!
He rang me tonight to give me an option, pay £60.00 fine for a bad tyre (damaged in the accident by collapsed suspension) and get 3 points on my license or go to court, which option do you want to take he asked me. Also told me that he wouldn't be going away, and that he would keep hassling me, and if I wanted he would send his colleague around to bang on my door. I have never been in trouble with the police never been stopped, never had points. I have or had a modified car, that's where my poblems lie! I'm scared because I don't know what he's trying to pin on me. I lost my mode of transport, 3 days of earnings, recovery fees for car (as i'll get more to break the car myself), I can't clain on personal injury as it's neither parties fault. I felt luky to be alive after the crash, now I feel that luck has done a runner and a big finger up at me! The police, well NO faith not anymore.

Pixie 29-Jan-2010 23:47

Yeah I totally agree with you all. The policing in this country is a joke & a shambles and only makes real people act like the criminals. I have been arrested for so many petty things which one of them was for going into a party at fabric night club to see a top dj that I a saved up for to attend. The idiot police man with nothing better to do, said I looked suspicious though I was Cleary just making my way innocently with nerves because I was excited to be at the club night. A minute amount of what they found out latter on was cocodamine which is a prescription drug was found on me. I get up to work and study my HND and not to commit offences that cost the state millions and this is how I am treated by our so called state that pay our taxes to ??

Harris 115 23-Jan-2010 14:01

I am a 55yr old nurse ,I now do not trust the police in this country,Next door to me is unregistered land, builders wire fencing was errected on the land nr my front garden wall,I asked the police if I could removed it away from the wall ,as it stopped me from cutting the brambles back ,I spoke to 3 police officers at local police stations ,a police officer told me I could move the fence,providing I was not tresspasing ,I moved the wire fence after this advice given ,later at night I was arrested and held all night , had my d.n.a. taken .and put in a cold cell,having worked the night before I was suffering from sleep deprivation ,in a state of shock,questioned by them and let out on bail , told me no further action would be taken.a few days later.

rockofages 13-Jan-2010 07:41

I am a 42 yr old married mother of four. I have no criminal history & was raised to respect the law. Having been a victim of disturbing harassment for 2 mnths, I finally contacted the police. It took 3 wks before an officer was 'available' to take my statement during which time there had been more incidents. Having given my statement I heard no more, despite constantly logging all incidents which continued in between by calling the police, it took several more wks of harassment, stalking & threats to harm myself AND my children, before the police finally arrested the culprit! Not that this made a difference because no sooner released from custody with a slap on the wrist (even tho the person has 2 convictions for endangering life and arson!) the whole situation became WORSE!! To cut a long story after making numerous complaints and being fobbed off with log numbers I finally contacted my MP! That was pointless!! Yes he wrote to the police who assured him I would be contacted immediately & updated, altho NOTHING!!! I made a formal complaint against the police. THIS was dealt with swiftly!! Eventually the officer dealing with the case (who'd continuously denied he was in fact the officer in the case), FINALLY contacted me but I was NOT prepared for what came next! He contacted me some 3 mnths after my complaint & had the cheek to ACCUSE ME of making the entire situation up, despite the evidence given to the police in support of my complaints!! By this point I felt so weak, emotionally & physically, I simply cried. He'd threatened to arrest me for wasting police time & I felt deflated. As a result, I am still suffering the stalking, harassment & now police victimisation!! I have no faith in the police force.

Mrs A 04-Jan-2010 16:36

Justice, it is muggers and burglars and rapists who are a menace to society, not the police. Perhaps you should "endeavour to assist" the victims of criminals?

Mr Hicks 27-Dec-2009 20:17

Anyone on here that has problems with the Police, email justlaw999@yahoo.com I will endeavour to assist.

Justice

Justice 27-Dec-2009 18:25

I have read your comments with interest. I am a policemans daughter (he now dead) and my husband and I are have terrible problems with a so called policeman. He is a liar and he has tried to make us, honourable hard-working middleaged people lives hell! We are under litigation with him so we cannot say too much, but if you knew the story your hair would turn white overnight to think such a thing could happen in this country, a so called free society, or so I was brought up to believe! We are in a living nightmare and any support if greatly received.

hassled 10-Dec-2009 12:12

I have no faith in the police because they do not listen to your. I had an argument with my husband which got out of control - I threatened him and he gently pushed me (where I live is a zero tolerence area) and broke my glasses £35. I called the police, he was arrested, spent overnight in the station. I was so upset at the time but the police forced me into making a statement (although I had been drinking) and when they came back the next day they took another statement in which they tried to get me to say that to replace my glasses would cost £300 - which is what I had said in the original statement when I was drunk - he now cannot come to the home or contact me. He is not in court until January. I am scared of being alone at night and we had decorating to do before Christmas. I telephoned them and asked if he could come back home - even if I was not there ...they said no. I agree with the person who said "sort problems out youself!

Jenny 09-Dec-2009 13:53

Bob, if you really give it thought, it's not "all" the police that are useless and corrupt, but I would definatly agree a small percentage are,

But my thoughts are that the CPS, court's and judges are often completley out of touch, like these burglers that commit 500 burglary's, and then get no prison, despite ruining 500 lives, not to mention the pensioners that collapse and die of a heart attack a short while after,

But "canoe man", who faked his death to swindle an insurance company, and not a danger to any man on the street, is locked up for years straight away, even though the company could get their cash back from his property equity,

Just shows you that the man on the street is of no concern, compared to a large company in the eyes of the judicial system.

Gainsborough lad. 27-Nov-2009 21:57

Police are useless, corrupt power hungry fools. They have no idea how to connect to regular people and if there weren't any police there would be a lot less criminals because we could actually go out and kill all the murderers and rapists instead of putting them in prisons and costing us millions. Cops are useless I cant say it enough.

BOB 27-Nov-2009 19:01

The police are only human, the same as any other person.
They are more likely to be the child that was bullied at school, and feel it is their right to take their greivances out on others because they are dressed in black, and you aren't meant to be able to complain.
Coldfeet; go to the top. make a complaint to him/her. watch how soon the lower levels jump. But don't confuse their attendance with liking you, it's because the boss says he don't want to hear no more complaints about them, therefore they have to act nice. x

Been There 09-Nov-2009 16:01

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