18-March-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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Thank you for your agreement Freddie. Although the Police may be legally entitled to, I've never seen or heard of a Police officer issue one around here, I'm not disagreeing with you, but it could perhaps just be one of those things that varies from force to force as to whether they actually give their officers' the means to do so.

Elmo 13-Mar-2010 12:20

Elmo....The Police can and do issue parking tickets. I agree with your other point though ;-)

Freddie 11-Mar-2010 11:31

The police don't issue parking tickets retard. And you kept saying how drunk you were, is it possible they offered you a blanket and you forgot? Oh no? They wrestled you to the ground and you hit your head?!?! Man up ffs.

Elmo 10-Mar-2010 19:53

hello something that might be of interest for everyone, especially people who are or have been harassed by the police.

http://www.youtube.com/user/TheAntiTerrorist#p/u/47/bE8rfefPQ24

anon 09-Mar-2010 16:39

I've known people to be prosecuted for this. Admittedly I left the job 10 years ago and things may have changed in that time but previously people were arrested for this under the criminal attempts act. That made it an arrestable offence! You know the one where you don't have to commit the actual offence, just get caught trying to? If I recall correctly they are referred for treatment on psychiatric grounds rather than being imprisoned but they still got a record.
I'm 100% certain on this. I know as I've nicked people for it myself.

Freddie 22-Feb-2010 12:34

Freddie

As a former police officer you must have been taught the basics of English law and should not confuse powers of arrest with an illegal act. You could not, for example prosecute someone for attempting suicide.

If you believe this to be the case I would be interested to hear under what legislation you would initiate and prosecute the case.

Suicide or attempted suicide is most certainly not illegal.

Congo 22-Feb-2010 10:49

Attempted suicide is 100% against the law. As a former police officer I have legally detained many people for this over the years.
The power used to do so falls under section 25 of the Police and Criminal Evidence act 1984, otherwise known as PACE. Under this legislation a Police Officer can arrest any person to preserve their own safety or the safety of others. look it up!

Freddie 22-Feb-2010 08:50

like help from anyone about my problem I do not start any trouble yet when I Call poloce in Gwent Nice people dont want to take statements I made varous complaint to no avail yet as I mention I am from Malta been here since 70 s yet Poloce act only if the oyher people accuyse us and my family Recently I had threats to kill me and my son Poloce one and sicx of the other, They nice people are u sure they dont want no trouble he threw a piece of wood at me missed damage my door no action my niegbour thrathen me I told him get away from my door Guees what he calls poloce I am arrested. Any one out there in Gwnt gets same treatment I amde complaint to poloce complaints to no avail so any other foriegners geting same treatment Joe

joe 20-Feb-2010 11:34

I am Maltese gets similar tratment from poloce when someone threats me at my door step poloce dont act as soon as someone complaints about us they arrest

joe 20-Feb-2010 11:28

'Freddie'

Attempted suicide is not illegal under English law, a person can be detained under the Mental Health Acts 1983/2007 but one is certainly not under arrest. The decision to detain is clinical not judicial.

I must confess I am not familiar with Scottish law; I imagine the situation would be similar but if not you may be able to enlighten me as to the relevant Act or Instrument.

Congo 19-Feb-2010 16:37

You would not believe the number of occasions where I tried on the behalf of others to get help for them only to be knocked back by the system. Not to mention the amount of criminals that go unpunished because of the frailty of the system. It is incredibly frustrating as a police officer to try and do your best when you know that other government organisations will fail to support you. Yes, there are some complete a***holes in the police service but the majority are good honest people that want to help. Go ahead and blame those that won't help but don't blame them because they cannot.

Freddie 19-Feb-2010 12:21

A prisoner should be stripped of every possession if they are potentially suicidal. If they don't do it and you hurt yourself whilst in custody with something about your person then they are in a lot of trouble. Their duty of care is to prevent you from harming yourself.
Attempted suicide is indeed illegal. Don't blame the police for that, blame the home office. They make the laws not the police. Incidentally, you would have been arrested under section 25 of the police and criminal evidence act. The power used is subjective and intended to prevent you from doing harm to yourself or others. It's totally legal and totally correct.
The noise of fellow prisoners is hardly the responsibility of the police. What do you want them to do, gag everyone?

You then say " Also why to most people that are treate dlike this in England and Wales end up killing themsleves within 48 hours of being arreste dby the police for being sucidal!" Well that's because the system doesn't support you after your period of police detention. The police have to release you in 24 hours. Once they have done this it becomes the responsibility of others, not the police. They cannot be held accountable for something they have no control over.
A lot of people feel unfairly treated when in these type of circumstances. The police are largely sympathetic to it but the public have to understand that they have very limited powers in respect of such issues. It is a failing of the system as a whole, not a failing of the police. They cannot do anymore than stop the immediate threat.
continued above

Freddie 19-Feb-2010 12:20

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