Monthly Archive for December, 2008

Happy New Year peeps!!!

Published on December 31, 2008 in Uncategorized. Closed

written by Metcountymounty from Sheepdogs & Wolves

Here's last years London fireworks for anyone who never saw it, for those of you working in town tonight I hope you have a view of this years, it's about the only thing that's going to be enjoyable!!

See you guys in 2009,

Out.

Metcountymounty

The original post can be found http://sheepdogsandwolves.blogspot.com/2008/12/happy-new-year-peeps.html

Happy New Year

Published on December 31, 2008 in Other Stuff. Closed

written by 200 from 200 Weeks

There was a saying around training school some 30 years ago, it was the 6 Ps - Proper Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance.

The following video wasn’t around 30 years ago but if it was it could have been used to illustrate that phrase.

BLUtube is powered by PoliceOne.com

Have a very Happy New Year & safe 2009!!

The original post can be found http://200weeks.police999.com/archives/1092

The New Year

Published on December 31, 2008 in New Year, QUOTES, mood tracks and music. Closed

written by PC Plastic Fuzz from The Plastic Fuzz

For my last post of 2008 I thought I would share a few poignant quotes which I’ve kind of connected with and which are rather appropriate for this occasion.

Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each New Year find you a better man. ~ Benjamin Franklin

New Year's eve is like every other night; there is no pause in the march of the universe, no breathless moment of silence among created things that the passage of another twelve months may be noted; and yet no man has quite the same thoughts this evening that come with the coming of darkness on other nights. ~ Hamilton Wright Mabie

Time has no divisions to mark its passage, there is never a thunder-storm or blare of trumpets to announce the beginning of a new month or year. Even when a new century begins it is only we mortals who ring bells and fire off pistols. ~ Thomas Mann

As we count in the New Year, I reflect on my years mistakes, loving you was my favorite mistake of 2008. ~ PCPF (Me)

A lot of effort goes in to my mood track selections - which you’ll find near the top right of my blog. Just so I can revoke some of these moments in years to come, here is a list of mood tracks to remind me where I was, musically, in 2008.

Lisa Mitchell - Neopolitan Dreams, Andrew Bird - Fiery Crash, Smiths - Boy With A Thorn In His Side (Buckley Cover), Linkin Park - What I've Done, Kent – 747, Lamb – Gorecki, Devotchka - How it ends, My Brightest Diamond - Inside a Boy, Eddie Vadder - Hard Sun, Kings Of Leon - Sex On Fire, The Script - Before The Worst, The Rolling Stones - Wild Horses, Kings Of Leon – Closer, Des'ree - Kissing You, Kings Of Leon - Charmer

© 2006 - 2009 PCSO BLOGGS

The original post can be found http://policecommunitysupportofficer.blogspot.com/2008/12/new-year.html

Twist in my Sobriety

Published on December 31, 2008 in Doric, Gadgety, Police, alcohol, scotland and whisky. Closed

written by Noddy from Welcome to Toy Town™

Guess who's Nightshift this Hogmanay (or as famously once described "Mahogany").

Thus, as one of the few sober eens amongst the stocious throngs, I thought this video was apt.

Bliadhna Mhath Ùr to all and sundry.

......... and the twist?

There's a bottle of Laughing Frog with my name on it waiting for my return home.

Slàinte Mhath!

© Noddy
Published by Toy Town™ Times

The original post can be found http://uisgebeathaagusleann.blogspot.com/2008/12/twist-in-my-sobriety.html

Best Of 2008

Published on December 31, 2008 in 1. Closed

written by inspectorgadget from POLICE INSPECTOR BLOG

2008

Karen Matthews planned (and I use that term lightly) the kidnap of her hapless daughter and then made a crocodile appeal for information. She ‘lifted the stone’ for the first time, showing the underclass in all their glory to a shocked media and public. I first suggested that something was ‘not what it seemed’ on this Blog, and was widely shouted at in cyberspace for it! Karen had seven kids by five fathers and her current ‘partner’ was looking at indecent images on his computer. The nation was shocked by the existence of a group of people who, to us, are the everyday wretched ‘customers’ we are supposed to ‘engage’ with. The police are now being criticised for not finding Shannon quickly enough.

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Charlotte Saunders became angry about police speaking to each other after an incident. Mark Saunders (her brother) was shot dead by police inside his £2.2m house on Markham Square, just off the King’s Road, after a stand-off which began when he started shooting into neighbour’s houses and at police officers from his window. A friend said of his relationship with his wife “He loved her very much but could not contain his greater love of red wine and whisky, and at all times of day.” The police were criticised for not being shot at enough times before they returned fire. Gadget’s post about this attracted over 7,000 readers in the first 24 hours and more than 100 people commented.

The original post can be found http://inspectorgadget.wordpress.com/2008/12/31/best-of-2008/

Up for air.

Published on December 30, 2008 in Uncategorized. Closed

written by Officer Dibble from Tales from the Metropolis

Managed to get a post in before end 2008.

Chez Dibble has been in some turmoil over the last 6 weeks due to circumstances beyond our control.This,coupled with a change of jobs, has left blogging on the back burner.
I'd had enough of my last role and put in a bid for something else and managed to get away from the not so 'merry go round' I was on. I needed a change,even if its only for a year or so and I have no regrets over that side of it.But I do miss my team that I left behind.We shovelled some sh*t and dealt with some weariness.Despite all this,it was a good bunch who managed to have some laughs despite it all.Their 'lets get on with it' professionalism made this old duffer look good and I thank them sincerely for it.

I will get back into the blogging frame of mind in 2009

To all those out there,take care of yourselves,those close to you and stay safe.

All the best for 2009

The original post can be found http://officerdibble01.blogspot.com/2008/12/up-for-air.html

Of own goals & things

Published on December 30, 2008 in The Job - General. Closed

written by 200 from 200 Weeks

Just a little quickie tonight as we’re off relative-visiting shortly.

I just wanted to share my joy over today’s news of another footballer in a bit of a pickle. Regular readers will know how much disgust I have for the sport & profession of football. Many years standing on the terraces at football matches did nothing to enhance the sport for me.

So it’s with a wry smile that I like to read stories of professional footballers getting themselves into trouble.

Steven Gerrard appears to have been charged - with 2 others - with assaulting a DJ at some pub in Southport as well as affray. One of the reports thought an argument may have developed after the DJ refused to play music of Gerard’s group’s choosing.

His employers have already announced their support for the player, which will only be repeated should he appear in court & get convicted; apparently it’s the law.

The original post can be found http://200weeks.police999.com/archives/1089

‘Thank You’ Letters

Published on December 30, 2008 in PCSO, Police and thank you letters. Closed

written by PC Plastic Fuzz from The Plastic Fuzz

There are many ups and downs working for the police. More so from my experiences as a PCSO, because, well, I’ve been a PCSO for ages and a PC for only a few months. I remember this one occasion where a random man observed me dealing with a group of little trouble makers and then explaining how well he thought I did and thanked me on behalf of the general public. That really lifted me up, it must be said.

More recently a letter was sent to my Chief Inspector. This letter was noted by him then sent down the chain until it turned up in my in-tray, with an accompanying email from my sergeant, saying well done. The letter was written by the manager of local Sainsbury’s supermarket who was stood outside of the supermarket, just by the cash-point, smoking a cigarette when I happened to be walking past and noticed a group of street drinkers sat on one of his benches. They were being rowdy and portraying the usual drunken idiocy that goes with warm weather and alcoholism.

I stopped and took details from the group. Some started to try and undermine me in front of the others, some making fun of the role (PCSO) and others simply wanted to carry on drinking and for me to piss off.

I managed to calm them down, offer them advice on rough sleeping teams in the city, support groups etc. Then I took their alcohol and moved them on, with a warning about this area as a no-go area from now on. Over the next week I made sure that area was on my beat patrol plan, meaning I check on it every day to make sure no-one is there being naughty. After a few days they got pissed off that I kept hassling them and found somewhere else to drink.

The manager of the supermarket wrote a letter to my boss explaining how well he thought I dealt with the situation. Even being outnumbered and dealing with very difficult, drunken people who clearly know exactly what to say to the police and how far they can push it. He said that the problem which had been ongoing for some time had completely stopped and this had relieved many of his staff and customers. Although there were distinct undertones in the letter that kind of went, “It was surprising how well he dealt with these people, especially being a PCSO”. They are my words, but that was the gist. All in all, the letter really lifted me up. The following week I have to say I did go out on patrol with my head held high. It’s nice to get a thank you letter. It’s not why we do the job, but it makes an otherwise difficult job a little easier, with a little more meaning and direction.

My first sergeant once told me that she gets a good idea of how hard I’m working out there by the number of thank you letters and complaints I get. The more of each, the better and harder I must be working. There is actually some logic to that.

The original post can be found http://policecommunitysupportofficer.blogspot.com/2008/12/thank-you-letters.html

What Time Do The Fireworks Start Officer?

Published on December 30, 2008 in Uncategorized. Closed

written by Stressed Out Cop from Stressed Out Cop

Oh Joy of Joys I've escaped that annual ritual of drunken anti-climax that is New Years Eve Celebrations. I will not be walking around in the freezing cold this year suffering angst as another "had too many" reveller asks me what time the fireworks start. For us they start usually at about 2am or whatever time everybody is decanted onto the streets. Mrs Stressed has not been so lucky, so I am due to be home alone babysitting. My crime fighting efforts are done for the year, but I shall raise a glass to those who are sat inside a cell this year end due to me. I've had a quiet year due to my injury but still managed to do a few covert ops.

I'm apparently healed but the consultant has said, if he had my injury there's no way he would be out running - that's ever again. I've now seen the X-Rays and there's considerably more metal work inside me than I imagined. This could have serious implications for me career wise but I've decided to keep schtum, as I need the streets, it's what I do. This blog was meant to be my mental jogging to get me through and looks like it will have to continue. I only got back into the running and fitness due to my stress problems and ultimately this has cost me dear. I suppose that's what you call a true "Stress Fracture". On the plus side I'm virtually guaranteed a blue badge when I'm older - so not all bad news. Free Parking for life.

Next year I shall embark on some hippy CBT and am booking up for sessions in March. Can't face it in the winter but am forking out hundred's for this. So that should be something to blog on. Still looking for a new job too.

Happy new year to any readers out there, and my thanks to Damo and others who have contributed. See you in 2009.

The original post can be found http://stressedoutcop.blogspot.com/2008/12/what-time-do-fireworks-start-officer.html

Old for New

Published on December 30, 2008 in Uncategorized. Closed

written by PC Bloggs from PC Bloggs - a Twenty-first Century Police Officer

Talk about recycling old presents and giving them away as new at Christmas, there has recently been a glut of old news dressed up as today's headlines.

Apart from the staggering news that hot drinks can help a cold, and that dogs feel jealousy, this month I have again read that patients will be able to rate their GPs online. Perhaps I'm suffering from festive fever, but I'm sure I read something like this and blogged on it about a year ago.

Has the public now become so gullible that it really is acceptable to publish as news things that have existed for days, months, years, even? Earlier this year the media broadcast the comments of McMillan-Scott MEP, who said if the UK had a system such as the US Amber Alert, Shannon Matthews would have been found sooner. It didn't seem to matter that the Child Alert was started in 2003 with the backing of Milly Dowler's parents, or that between 2004-2006, Child Rescue Alert was gradually adopted up by all UK forces. (And that's overlooking the basic truth that an Alert would not have found Shannon because her mother already knew where she was.)

The trouble with this endless regurgitation of news is that the public are now encouraged to flare up at the slightest thing, rant about it for a week, and then put it down and forget about it until it's mentioned again some time later.

We are becoming a nation of goldfish, with small excitements, small fears, and smaller hopes and dreams.

Is it wrong that I still desire to save the world, whether it wants saving or not?

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'Diary of an On-Call Girl' is available in some bookstores and online.

The original post can be found http://pcbloggs.blogspot.com/2008/12/old-for-new.html