Monthly Archive for December, 2006

My blog and the increase in workload

Published on December 31, 2006 in Uncategorized. Closed

written by Robert 'Bob' Slot from Bobby Slot

Have been blogging for a few days now but don't seem to have attracted any readers yet. If anyone should happen across this blog and has some advice I would be very grateful.

I see my blog progressing into a forum to lay out my thoughts on how policing and law and order in general have changed over the years since I have been involved in this strange occupation. One thing that I will comment on today is the increase in workload I have noticed over the years. I have always been quite proactive and much preferred to 'look for my own work' rather than rely on things that other people reported to me. I have often had some good results working this way. If I knew that drug dealers often dealt in a particular area I would patrol that area and often catch them. However I seem unable to work this way nowadays because of a large increase in 'nonsense' jobs.

I think some of the increase must come from the use of mobile phones. (Hey, how about we make the mobile phone companies pay towards policing?) However it also seems to come down to peoples ignorance and intolerance of each other.

I am sick to death of dealing with barking dogs, noisy neighbours, sticking door locks (I kid you not) playground arguments, name calling, abusive text messages, kids playing football, etc etc.

Any crimes I actually get to investigate are often delayed because the radio never stops calling your number.

The answer to this may sound simple. Get the call takers to reject the jobs that should not be dealt with by the police. However certainly in my force, the civilian call takers are given little or no training at all into what constitutes an police job and what doesn't. In practice this can mean that a more serious job could be downgraded and not get an adequate response.

I'm sure if you have had to phone the police recently you will have your own stories to tell, I have an example that I will refer to in the near future.

Anyhow Happy New Year and all the best to you and yours!

© Bob Slot 2006
© Bob Slot 2007

The original post can be found http://bobbyslot.blogspot.com/2006/12/my-blog.html

Humour

Published on December 31, 2006 in Uncategorized. Closed

written by The Special Constable's Blog from The Special Constable's Blog

The original post can be found http://cid-4fa2ec81ca2c804b.skydrive.live.com/browse.aspx/.res/4FA2EC81CA2C804B!221?ct=photos

Saddam Hussein Execution

Published on December 30, 2006 in News and politics. Closed

written by The Special Constable's Blog from The Special Constable's Blog

With one less dictator the world is a better place. I do not however believe that the violence in Iraq will reduce.
 
I agree with the use of capital punishment and believe its total abolition was mistaken. The outlawing of execution based on our current perception of barbarism is flawed. Execution of a human by the state is no more barbaric then the killing of a cow in an abattoir. Both achieve a goal, the cow for food, the execution to remove a person from society. Without execution there is always the possibility that the person could be reintroduced to society to cause more harm. If Saddam were imprisoned for life, a change of government in Iraq or a jail break by sympathisers could allow his rhetoric and violent oppression to return. His execution makes matters final. Use of the death penalty in times of war, for use with murder and treason should not have been removed. How do we treat these people that do not wish to live by the rules that we create and abide by? We give them free accommodation and meals for life. I do think that the misuse of the death penalty sounded its own death bell such as innocents who were executed or those that mistakes in execution were made.

If you are not willing to go the lengths that your enemy does, your enemy will not fear you. The UK has a nuclear deterrent with its finger over the button. We should also have the gallows.
 
Ghandi was wrong. An eye for an eye makes does not make the whole world blind. It leaves the world partially sighted.

The original post can be found http://specialcopper.spaces.live.com/Blog/cns!4FA2EC81CA2C804B!206.entry

Saddam Hussein Execution

Published on December 30, 2006 in News and politics. Closed

written by The Special Constable's Blog from The Special Constable's Blog

With one less dictator the world is a better place. I do not however believe that the violence in Iraq will reduce.
 
I agree with the use of capital punishment and believe its total abolition was mistaken. The outlawing of execution based on our current perception of barbarism is flawed. Execution of a human by the state is no more barbaric then the killing of a cow in an abattoir. Both achieve a goal, the cow for food, the execution to remove a person from society. Without execution there is always the possibility that the person could be reintroduced to society to cause more harm. If Saddam were imprisoned for life, a change of government in Iraq or a jail break by sympathisers could allow his rhetoric and violent oppression to return. His execution makes matters final. Use of the death penalty in times of war, for use with murder and treason should not have been removed. How do we treat these people that do not wish to live by the rules that we create and abide by? We give them free accommodation and meals for life. I do think that the misuse of the death penalty sounded its own death bell such as innocents who were executed or those that mistakes in execution were made.

If you are not willing to go the lengths that your enemy does, your enemy will not fear you. The UK has a nuclear deterrent with its finger over the button. We should also have the gallows.
 
Ghandi was wrong. An eye for an eye makes does not make the whole world blind. It leaves the world partially sighted.

The original post can be found http://SpecialCopper.spaces.live.com/Blog/cns!4FA2EC81CA2C804B!206.entry

“Respect Zones” My A**E

Published on December 28, 2006 in Uncategorized. Closed

written by Robert 'Bob' Slot from Bobby Slot

The Government yesterday announced ‘Respect Zones’ in which there will be no rowdiness, vandalism and hooliganism. Sounds great, where do I sign? I want a house right in the middle of one of those places. We can all be happy and skip and jump and sing all day!

They will issue more money to the Councils that make best use of ASBO’s. Surely the councils that a really struggling with the worst problems are the ones that need the money? Hey, what do I know?

Personally I think that the cash would be better spent on more prisons and on making sure that offenders are sent to them.

Street Robbery? First Offence? 5 Years minimum!

Burglary, with occupants in the house, 5 Years minimum!

Mandatory sentences, and none of this silly halving of sentences either. You serve what you get!

Come on Government Stop the Silly Spin!!!

It’s time that the public got some well earned rest from the criminals!

© Bob Slot 2006

© Bob Slot 2007

The original post can be found http://bobbyslot.blogspot.com/2006/12/respect-zoness-my-ae.html

Shaggy Police Dog Story

Published on December 27, 2006 in Uncategorized. Closed

written by Robert 'Bob' Slot from Bobby Slot

Here is a good one to start you off, Now this could well be an urban myth, but I have a mate who swears it happened to a mate of his, so let's take him at his word shall we...

It concerns the mate of a mate (Let's call him "Jim" to make it simple) Jim was a patrol constable on a beat which contained a rather large and not particularly pleasant council estate. On the day in question he gets a call to an address on the estate to deal with a minor incident.

As he arrives and knocks at the front door he is joined by a rather large and scruffy looking Alsatian dog, the dog joins Jim on the door step and waits to be let in.

The owner of the house opens the door and Jim and the dog enter. It soon becomes apparent that the owner is a rather timid man and appears to have little experience in talking to the police, he looks nervously at Jim as Jim makes notes of his complaint. He also appears to glance at the dog several times in a quite strange and enquiring way. Jim thinks the fellow is a little odd but, then so are a lot of his 'customers'.

The dog by this time has sat in the living room paying equal attention to Jim and the house owner, he soon gets bored of this and starts to chew at the furniture. He has a good gnaw on the dining room chairs then a bit of a chomp on the table. It then crouches down on it's back legs and curls out a massive steaming turd in the middle of the fireside rug!

Jim is totally bewildered that the dog is allowed to do this, the owner looks embarrassed and rather sheepish but does nothing to chastise the dog, which takes a sniff at it's masterpiece then goes to curl up under the table.

Anyway, Jim has finished taking the details, and so taking care not to stand in the poop he bids the owner farewell, as he is walking down the garden path the owner shouts to him

"What about your dog officer?"

I think Jims hearing let him down at this stage!

© Bob Slot 2006
© Bob Slot 2007

The original post can be found http://bobbyslot.blogspot.com/2006/12/shaggy-police-dog-story.html

A Bobby Slot is not a happy one!

Published on December 27, 2006 in Uncategorized. Closed

written by Robert 'Bob' Slot from Bobby Slot

Day 1 !!! Extreme Blogging !!

Sorry, Let me introduce myself. I am Bobby Slot, a Police Officer of some considerable service in a English Police Force.

Inspired by the Excellent PC David Copperfield and his Policemans Blog I thought I would make one of my own. I have no idea how it will take off but will see what happens.

If you haven't visited Daves' Blog here is a link.
http://coppersblog.blogspot.com/

Also well worth a look is his book "Wasting Police Time" It sums up the police service in a comical and insightful way.

Hope you can hang around and enjoy my ramblings, as and when I write them. I shan't be holding back. Only the names will be changed to protect the innocent.

© Bob Slot 2006
© Bob Slot 2007

The original post can be found http://bobbyslot.blogspot.com/2006/12/bobby-slot-is-not-happy-one.html

Xmas Spirit(s)

Published on December 25, 2006 in On Duty. Closed

written by The Special Constable's Blog from The Special Constable's Blog

This time of year the 30 to 50 year olds eat too much xmas pud, drink a little too much sherry and jump into their car to pop down to the offie (off license). That's when I jump out in my fluorescent jacket and pull them over. Most law abiding folks haven’t been pulled over and are a little nervous. I try to calm their nerves yet remain firm in case there is more to find.
 
Me: "Have you had anything to drink this evening?"
Customer: "No, no"
Me: "Have you had anything to eat or smoke in the last 5 minutes?"
Customer: "I had a pie for lunch?"
Me: "I require you to take a road-side breath test that will give me an indication of the amount of alcohol in your body. Do you understand?"
Customer: (....frowning and nodding...)
Me: "I will hold the device up to your lips and I would like you blow into it as if you are blowing up a balloon. Do not stop blowing until I say stop. OK?"
Customer: (Nods)
Me: "Ok here we go...and blow"
Customer: (After a short puff in the tube) "Sorry I have not enough breath"
Me: "O..K... take a deep breath and try again"
Customer: (After a short puff in the tube) "So, So Sorry, I have not enough breath"
Me: "Look, this isn't difficult. If you can't take the test I will have to arrest you and we can do it back at the station."
Customer: (Winces and then blows properly)
Me: "Now that wasn't so difficult was it...." (The indicator light goes straight to amber....40 seconds still amber)
Customer: "What does yellow mean?"
Me: "If means you weren't telling me the truth about not having anything to drink...how many did you have?"
Customer: "I had just one before coming out. But it was only a single"
Me: "Better to have none."

Why does everyone lie?...we will generally figure it out...

The original post can be found http://SpecialCopper.spaces.live.com/Blog/cns!4FA2EC81CA2C804B!201.entry

Xmas Spirit(s)

Published on December 22, 2006 in On Duty. Closed

written by The Special Constable's Blog from The Special Constable's Blog

This time of year the 30 to 50 year olds eat too much xmas pud, drink a little too much sherry and jump into their car to pop down to the offie (off license). That's when I jump out in my fluorescent jacket and pull them over. Most law abiding folks haven’t been pulled over and are a little nervous. I try to calm their nerves yet remain firm in case there is more to find.
 
Me: "Have you had anything to drink this evening?"
Customer: "No, no"
Me: "Have you had anything to eat or smoke in the last 5 minutes?"
Customer: "I had a pie for lunch?"
Me: "I require you to take a road-side breath test that will give me an indication of the amount of alcohol in your body. Do you understand?"
Customer: (....frowning and nodding...)
Me: "I will hold the device up to your lips and I would like you blow into it as if you are blowing up a balloon. Do not stop blowing until I say stop. OK?"
Customer: (Nods)
Me: "Ok here we go...and blow"
Customer: (After a short puff in the tube) "Sorry I have not enough breath"
Me: "O..K... take a deep breath and try again"
Customer: (After a short puff in the tube) "So, So Sorry, I have not enough breath"
Me: "Look, this isn't difficult. If you can't take the test I will have to arrest you and we can do it back at the station."
Customer: (Winces and then blows properly)
Me: "Now that wasn't so difficult was it...." (The indicator light goes straight to amber....40 seconds still amber)
Customer: "What does yellow mean?"
Me: "If means you weren't telling me the truth about not having anything to drink...how many did you have?"
Customer: "I had just one before coming out. But it was only a single"
Me: "Better to have none."

Why does everyone lie?...we will generally figure it out...

The original post can be found http://specialcopper.spaces.live.com/Blog/cns!4FA2EC81CA2C804B!201.entry

Serial Killings Update (1)

Published on December 21, 2006 in News and politics. Closed

written by The Special Constable's Blog from The Special Constable's Blog

As reported on BBC News a 48 year old man called Stephen Wright has been charged with all 5 murders. This confirms that this is a serial killing and Tom Stephens was probably a fantacist. We already knew that there was 5 seperate murder investigations. That would have to mean that there is something linking Stephen Wright to all 5 murders. Could it be DNA evidence? Can't wait for the trial..
 
I also seem to be receiving spam-like unhelpfull comments. If you don't like this blog, its's fairly simple...don't read it?

The original post can be found http://specialcopper.spaces.live.com/Blog/cns!4FA2EC81CA2C804B!200.entry