The Italian Job

February 13, 2009 by inspectorgadget

chiantishirerpt4

Thanks to the Gadget reader who sent this photo.

The hideously Orwellian, slightly 1930′s Germany “Policing Pledge” is going well in Ruraltown. We are policing better, more criminals are being caught and sentenced to meaningful terms in prison and the public can feel the difference.

Did that sound convincing? It should. It is the basic contents of an email sent to all staff by the Divisional Commander. Remember; he is the one on the top floor. The one who never goes outside. The one who relies upon information about how well things are going from…… those in who’s interests it is to tell him how well things are going!

Things on the street may be better, they may be worse. It changes every week. One thing is for sure; it has nothing whatever to do with the mealy mouthed jingle from the Home Office called the Policing Pledge.

In this force, we have to promise to inform on our colleagues if they use ‘inapropriate language’ etc hence the link to 1930′s Germany.

Gadget Note: Regular readers will not be surprised to hear that their Lordships will not be the subject of a police investigation despite allegedly flogging the nation’s laws for consultancy fees (bah! can you tell I’m on Nights?)

Posted in Uncategorized | 46 Comments

46 Responses

on February 13, 2009 at 9:25 am constableconfused

Boss,

you will never aspire to those dizzy heights will you? The medical treatment for a labotomy would surely swallow up the extra pay.

Stay as you are PLEASE and tell it from your REAL point of view.
on February 13, 2009 at 10:26 am Older not Wiser

Would love one of your sweaters, but I feel very strongly about people wearing uniforms that suggest qualifications that they do not have.(I have not been a police officer)

Slowly working my way through your book. I have to do it in small increments because I start shouting after a while. Please tell me that there are some good things happening out there. Please?
on February 13, 2009 at 10:56 am Tiredskipper

European police service……….it’s the future! How do I add a picture?
on February 13, 2009 at 11:52 am Boy on a bike

er, you need to proof read your work:

“The one who relies receiving information”
on February 13, 2009 at 12:15 pm Nationalist

The actual pro-forma Police Pledge, as opposed to the Hitler Oath, contains the words “on your patch”. When did the Home Office get so dumbed down they would use such a vulgarism?

Perhaps I should call my local station and tell them this has made me “upset”. Attendance is then required within 60 minutes.
on February 13, 2009 at 12:35 pm inspectorgadget

Older Not Wiser – to be fair; this is a Blog about the nonsense in policing, not the good things. There are good things, read them in your local Neighbourhood Policing free newspaper (chuckle chuckle).
on February 13, 2009 at 12:39 pm Retired Sgt

And you were only supposed to blow the bloody doors off
on February 13, 2009 at 12:42 pm Retired Sgt

Is there any connection between the man who wanted to be the next Commissioner of the Met and the arrest of a Conservative MP and the man who is now the Commissioner of the Met and the non arrest of Labour peers who were quite willing to receive large amounts of money for changing laws…It all sounds “Rusty” and “Spliffy” to me…
on February 13, 2009 at 2:25 pm petoskystone

well, hell, did american politics get exported to the u.k.?
on February 13, 2009 at 3:02 pm Ex-stint

Did my stint and saw the good, stupid and evil stuff mankind has to offer. You just play it with a different bat these days – maybe you get the leaders you deserve!

Remember, you are not sheep or Keystone cops.

“(The constable) is an officer whose authority is original, not delegated, and is exercised at his own discretion by virtue of his office: he is a ministerial officer exercising statutory rights independently of contract.” Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, 1955.

Your blog is a really a current day wind-up tool – always a source for a good laugh though.
on February 13, 2009 at 4:31 pm uniform

Well it’s now a fact MPs and their ersatz ennobled democratic guardian chums can not be touched for what amounts to mal/misfeasance in a public office.

The Derek Conway affair ended because the Met was too scared to root around in the paperwork to prove the evidence chain , so many pigs have their noses deep in the trough that it would expose a cancerous tumor in the body politic.

….and to think some of theses charlatans go on about regimes like Mugabe’s.
on February 13, 2009 at 5:20 pm Bob

Gadget Note: Regular readers will not be surprised to hear that their Lordships will not be the subject of a police investigation despite allegedly flogging the nation’s laws for consultancy fees.

What ever are you trying to suggest. Next you will be telling us that Jacquie, dodgy claims, Spliff-Smith is an upstanding member of parliament and does not submit bent claims.
on February 13, 2009 at 8:47 pm i don't believe it

Gadget, you are blessed with a wonderful commander who never goes out. My old Ch/Supt was an expert on the golf course, and knew every restaurant in the town at lunch times, but only on duty. Sometimes he even took the GP car.
on February 13, 2009 at 9:02 pm Von Spreuth

Has any one a link to this “policing pledge” and what it sais?

I know it has PROBABLY been here before, but in the light of my present thesis work, it would be EXTREMLY interesting to ACTUALY compare it with the Fahneneid.

Von Brandenburg-Preußen
on February 13, 2009 at 10:03 pm FelixAntonius

Try:-

http://police.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/police-reform/Policing_Pledge.pdf?view=Binary
on February 13, 2009 at 10:30 pm Von Spreuth

Thanks Felix.

Ah, not REALLY similar, in fact not at ALL similar is it gadget?

Or are we reading different links?

Or are you saying that swearing an oath to the Queen is the same as swearing one to Hitler????

OR have they changed the word to be that you swear the oath to the “pledge”????

Confussed.

Von Brandenburg-Preußen.
on February 14, 2009 at 4:39 am Oi

Or are you saying that swearing an oath to the Queen is the same as swearing one to Hitler????

Is it not? Its not as if the oath is sworn to the state. A cop swears that (s)he will well and truly serve the queen.
on February 14, 2009 at 7:37 am inspectorgadget

Oi – the Policing Pledge is NOT the original swearing in of a Police Constable. It is a new, ad-sales type spin about making the public “feel” safe and caring about the ‘uman rights of customers (criminals) blah blah. In Ruralshire we also have to promise to inform on our colleagues if they use ‘inapropriate language’ etc hence the link to 1930′s Germany.
on February 14, 2009 at 8:34 am Oi

Sorry, I was commenting on Von……………… never mind, doesnt matter
on February 14, 2009 at 9:48 am inspectorgadget

Oi – fair enough – not enough sleep – sorry!!
on February 14, 2009 at 11:51 am Von Spreuth

xxx Oi

Or are you saying that swearing an oath to the Queen is the same as swearing one to Hitler????

Is it not? Its not as if the oath is sworn to the state. A cop swears that (s)he will well and truly serve the queen. xxx

Only in that they are both oaths. I think even the most rabid Roayalty hater would agree that there is a world of difference to supporting the Queen and supporting Hitler.

However, as is increasingly becoming apparant with my thesis work, AND I have only just started, comparing the nazi/Soviet/East German systems and the British system of today, ala Incapability Brown and his all singing, all farting politburo wannabees, you can INDEED compare them. And it is NOT looking good for Britain.

Von Brandenburg-Preußen
on February 14, 2009 at 12:57 pm Not Jack

How is the state of policing NOW, as compared to 5 years ago?
on February 14, 2009 at 1:13 pm inspectorgadget

Not Jack
More paperwork (most of it locally produced to monitor ‘performance’)
Less officers to respond to emergencies (all working Monday to Friday on ‘Neighbourhood Teams’)
More political correctness (unless you are a Royal)
More arse-covering and risk aversion (Stockwell)
Less prison sentences for persistent offenders.
on February 14, 2009 at 1:33 pm uniform

….and you forgot .

Crap pay rises.

Reduced discretion.

Jaqui Spliff

The emergence of a cabal of ‘wet’ police leaders who are just guardians of ‘public expectations’.

Not being allowed to puruse criminals in cars in case THEY kill someone.

1/2 baked IT , which just creates more bureaucracy,

Jaqui Spliff

The over-empowering of civilians , some who are genuine 5th columist police haters , yeah you’d better believe it ,

PSD departmentalizes who believe that they are on a mission from god and the first to be really created in his image.

Tony Mcnumpty

Self inducing discipline codes of a type which no living creature can hope to pander to , “no one is to throw a stone until I blow this whistle”

Political intrusion.

Jaqui Spliff
on February 14, 2009 at 1:47 pm Retired Sgt

and I only said this piece of halibut was good enough for Jehovah
Cue high pitched screams from Jacqui Spliff Harriet Harperson Yvette Cooper the Eagles(not the pop group) et al
If you have never seen “The Life of Brian” this will mean nothing to you and will probably reinforce your suspicions that I am mad-I am but not in that way…
on February 14, 2009 at 1:57 pm pchawkeye

”Life of Brian”, my favourite film.
I’ve just found this, it may be of interest to non Police who wonder just what we are, and what we could be again.

http://www.polfed.org/OC_Final.pdf

”He’s not the Messia, he’s a very naughty boy!”
on February 14, 2009 at 1:59 pm Von Spreuth

Gadget/Uniform. The thing is, the list was 90% the same in the mid 70s early 80s. We had Rees instead of the current idiot, then….Whitelaw??? “Political correctness” was not called that then, although we HAD heard the phrase. Self discipline codes….”Discipline” ME??? hahahaha.

But other than that, same problems, same moans. EXCEPT we had a federation that were approaching half way usefull, and were not TOTALY scared shitless of their own shadow.

As to “The life of Brian”, I could virtually quote the entire text without prompting. Pitty the bosses seem to be such monty python fand these days and insist on making it look like the “Ministry for silly policing”.

Von Brandenburg-Preußen.
on February 14, 2009 at 2:00 pm Von Spreuth

Another thing re the Federation. 70s 80s, say anything about it, and half a dozen station reps would be jumoing all over you in it’s defence.

The fact that, that does NOT happen any more is rather telling, do you not think?

vBP.
on February 14, 2009 at 5:41 pm R/T

Anyone else that reads this blog in The Job 25 years ago? Wasn’t it great compared to now? Well, it seemed so anyway. Taking D&D’s (no POA then!) and dropping them off 10 miles away leaving them to walk home.

Bring back judges rules

Happy days
on February 14, 2009 at 6:10 pm R/T

BTW – go to constableconfused.com (I think – google it!). His latest post is an absolute belter.

IG – have you read him/her? It’s rather good, as a rule. You might consider a link if it keeps up. Just a thought.

Sorry for the hijack
on February 14, 2009 at 6:23 pm Von Spreuth

xxx R/T

Anyone else that reads this blog in The Job 25 years ago? xxx

30 years do?

(bloody HEL!!! Only just realised how long it was since Bruche!)

“Ways and means act”, “Round file B.I.N”, riot helmets a thick cork version of the normal helmet, with a thicker chin strap.

Collators you could actualy TOUCH they were so real, (and, they were in UNIFORM, and had worked the patch themselves, that they were collating for).

Taking the speedo cable out of the back of the clock after your milage limit had been reached.

Having a word with Wayne down a back alley, instead of bothering the custody sergeant with trivia.

Telling Tracey that her report of a stolen transistor radio was a load of old bollox.

Doing Tracey for wasting police time for ringing up about her stollen radio again after being warned that her sister taking it into her bedroom was NOT theft.

Canteens with bacon buttys so greasy you could not touch another piece of paper work for DAYS without big see through patches appearing all over it.

Spending most of the shift moving from one tea speck to another.

Being happy in the kowledge that your in tray was empty for WEEKS at a time.

Aye. GREAT days.

Von Brandenburg-Preußen.
on February 14, 2009 at 6:27 pm Von Spreuth

Missed one;

Switching the radio sound off, safe in the knowledge that NO bastard could find out where you were dossing for a doze on nights. (“Sorry boss, you know what these shite Burndept (sp?) things are like”.)

bVP.
on February 14, 2009 at 10:26 pm constableconfused

R/T,

thank you for the praise. Just telling it as it is in my opinion. I am a bit embarrased though, just hope I can keep it up. Sorry Boss.

Von Spreuth,

you will be upset to learn that Bruche is no longer used by the police. Good times remembered but now forces teach in house. Not a great step forward but we now have an academy! There has been political in fighting to overturn the agreement that the land would only ever be dedicated to being a training school and apparently is geting knocked down to build even more houses.

Poor reflection on times as a whole.

Regards CC.C
on February 14, 2009 at 10:43 pm Pete

Hey, fool in Uniform @4:31

What about that time when you let that DUI slide when we we workjng Hapstead Heath tohether.?

Just because you knew the guy personally…..
on February 14, 2009 at 11:13 pm emmet

Lets have a debate or post on the banned Dutch MP. What’s that about. Bye bye England.
on February 15, 2009 at 8:29 am David Adam

IG – can’t see an email address anywhere but thought you might appreciate http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,24723327-952,00.html
on February 15, 2009 at 9:45 am ExTrafficBiker

1986 – I’m PC Rookie, in the panda with PC Old Sweat. We’ve got Billy Burglar in the car having caught him red handed jumping over the garden fence of the house he’s just screwed.

Panda car turns at a junction.

“This isn’t the way to the nick” says Billy

“I know” says Old Sweat, “We’re just going to have a chat about the chances of you getting bail”.

Half an hour later we’re in the nick. Billy’s singing like a canary and the last half dozen burglaries have been solved.

Excuse me. I’ve gone all misty-eyed.
on February 15, 2009 at 10:09 am Joe Public

.
Off-topic, but topical:

If Jacqui Smith claims she spends “the bulk of her time” at her London lodgings, then surely police records will show which Authority has provided most guard duty – London or Redditch.

The taxpaying public have a right to know.
on February 15, 2009 at 10:16 am Bystander

How about the ACPO honchos, dealt with in today’s Mail On Sunday?

Seems to be a nice little bit of cash sloshing around there too…….
on February 15, 2009 at 10:29 am thespecialone

As Bystander has alluded to in the previous post. Here is the link to the article.

http://www.mailonsunday.co.uk/news/article-1145581/Body-charge-UK-policing-policy-18m-year-brand-charging-public-70-60p-criminal-records-check.html
on February 15, 2009 at 11:08 am Bob

Chairman of RSS Meredydd Hughes claims all speed cameras should be hidden and mobile.

Meredydd Hughes, who was caught speeding. He was doing 90MPH in a 60MPH area.

Honesty and integrity, do as I dictate not as I do. ACPPO and Jacqui Spliff would agree with that one.

Will ACPO members be subject to undermining public confidence?.
on February 15, 2009 at 11:13 am Von Spreuth

I see great potential for advertising things like “Duncans doughnuts”, on police vehicles.

Von Brandenburg-Preußen.
on February 15, 2009 at 4:41 pm pchawkeye

Funny how ACPO can set themselves up as a buisiness flogging CRO checks but if an enterprising Constable put in a request to his Chief Con. to earn a few extas….how far would he get I wonder.It’s a pity I’m retired, I might have just had a go.
on February 17, 2009 at 10:32 am dmc

At least granny had her hair done and made an extra special effort to look good for the photo.
on February 17, 2009 at 10:34 am dmc

bugger,put it in the wrong hole.
on February 17, 2009 at 10:42 am Von Spreuth

As the actress said to the bishop?

Von Brandenburg-Preußen.