Monthly Archive for March, 2010

Good News all round

Published on March 31, 2010 in The Job - Comment. Closed

written by 200 from 200 Weeks

Two top police news stories today.

In the first, the Met have finally sacked that disgraceful blight on modern policing Ali Dizaei. Good news, anyone know what happens to his pension?

In the second, again Met related, Sgt Delroy Smellie has been aquitted of assaulting Nichola Fisher at the G20 demo. The judge said she found no evidence that the Sgt’s use of his baton was not measured & correct. Which was about the only conclusion she could come to as the complainant had no intention of attending court & giving evidence.

Of course, everyone is up in arms about the decision – well anyone who reads the Guardian, judging by Dave Hill’s London Blog, most of whom appear to have little understanding of the concept of evidence. Nichola Fisher didn’t lose out, I commented almost a year ago that her main motivation would be the money. I read she got £26grand for her story. Only she knows the real reason she didn’t want to give evidence, theories abound in the blogs & comment sections of the press.

I’m glad the Sgt was not convicted, on so many levels.

The original post can be found http://200weeks.police999.com/archives/2740

Sgt Smellie and ex-Commander Dizaei

Published on March 31, 2010 in G20, Sergeants, court, level II, public, public order, serious and urgent assistance. Closed

written by Area Trace No Search from Area Trace No Search

So today has been an interesting news day for the Police.

In one article, we see that ex-Commander Dizaei has now been fired by the met.
Good riddance, and it's nice to see that we've finally rid ourselves of him.
Incidentally, the Met stopped paying him as soon as he was convicted - so at least he hasn't been adding to his nest egg whilst in prison.

Also, a verdict (and hopefully some closure at last) for Sgt Smellie.

When this News Story came out, I was uncharacteristically silent about the matter.
This was partly because I was actually at the G20 and so couldn't pretend to be objective so close to the incident. It is also because I know some of the people involved in this investigation.

My opinion now (for what it's worth) is that the courts made the right decision.
The video of Sgt Smellie striking Ms Fisher is uncomfortable viewing, and is not pleasant to watch at all.
Unfortunately, many actions within a public order environment are not pretty. Our sensibilities are understandably designed so that a woman being struck is not something we want to see.
But British law provides for the person using force NOT to be omnipresent, and NOT necessarily to be able to judge all of the facts in the cold light of day. Sgt Smellie was in the middle of a very long tour of duty (I did something like seventeen or eighteen hours on both days), surrounded by a shouting mob, jostled, objects being thrown, and attempting to protect the officers behind him who had their backs turned - and were dealing with something else and so unable to assist or defend themselves.

The thing that struck me throughout the video was how calm the Sergeant is - he does not look to me like a man panicking and unable to make reasoned thought. He looks like an officer in a pile of shit who calmly uses approved officer safety methods to build distance and space and to prevent either an aggressor or potential aggressor from attacking him. His serial are behind him and afterwards he goes back to staying at the back of his serial - Sergeants are trained during public order training to do exactly that, and to make judgement calls about whether to split or even turn the serial to deal with threats. He made the judgement call to protect his serial and allow them to continue to Police.

Have I ever hit a woman with a back hander? No. Have I struck a woman in other ways? Yes, absolutely.
Although we deal with hundreds (thousands?) of peaceful protests in the Met, we also deal with numerous public order incidents of varying description. Sometimes officers have to use force - and they should only be judged (as law states) by the information available to them and the situation they were in at the time.

EDIT - for my views on the G20, written after my policing experience there, see HERE

The original post can be found http://areatracenosearch.blogspot.com/2010/03/sgt-smellie-and-ex-commander-dizaei.html

G20 police assault verdict SHOCK!

Published on March 31, 2010 in 1. Closed

written by inspectorgadget from POLICE INSPECTOR BLOG

People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.
George Orwell

The original post can be found http://inspectorgadget.wordpress.com/2010/03/31/g20-police-assault-verdict/

Good news for the Met: G20 officer did not assault vile “victim.”

Published on March 31, 2010 in Uncategorized. Closed

written by Twining from THE TWINING CHRONICLES - A BRITISH POLICE NEWS FEED ON THE POLICE AND COMMUNITY

A Met Sergeant has been cleared of assaulting a protester at G20 last year. Two independent witnesses came forward after viewing what they termed “unfair media coverage” of the incident. They stated their attention was drawn to Ms Fisher, who was hyperactive, appeared agitated, aggressive, and in their words, was also playing up to the press. However she did get some 26k for selling her story. We feel the newspaper should now claim this back from Ms Fisher.

The witnesses also stated that the Sergeant was vulnerable as his colleagues were trying to pre-empt trouble from another direction when Ms Fisher, “the victim,” dished out vile abuse at the Sergeant. She also threw orange juice at the officer. What a waste of orange juice and not eco-friendly either.

A good result for the job. We, and a few other MORE RECOGNISED police bloggers, reported on this at the time and stated that the Sergeant had used reasonable force, he was threatened and WE FELT that Ms Fisher was the agitator. Interestingly it was news that the Sergeant was a Black Sergeant, LOOKS BLACK TO US, but unsurprisingly there was no comment from the NBPA. This is not unusual for the NBPA as a caucus group have been incompetent.

Alas a great result for freedom policing and policing protests. Members of the public please note: If you want to throw abuse and things at an officer to agitate them under very extreme public order situations do expect a response. Ms Fisher, shame on you, you should be reported for threatening behaviour.

The original post can be found http://twining.wordpress.com/2010/03/31/good-news-for-the-met-g20-officer-di-not-assault-vile-victim/

She may very well pass for forty three (In the dusk, with the light behind her) *

Published on March 31, 2010 in Uncategorized. Closed

written by Hogday from Hog Day Afternoon

Today's papers and news bulletins from other media are all making much mention of the radical case of the not guilty... not guilty...not guilty....Guilty verdict of the presumably soon-to-be-known-as "The T hiefrow Four". The arguments this will bring forth will be a fascinating peep into not only the principles of the non-jury trial concept, but of the hearts and minds of this nation - well those who actually have hearts and minds, that is.

As one commenter in the above linked `Times` article stated somewhat sarcastically, "What struck me reading this article is that the estimated cost – and no doubt in the end it was a lot more – of a trial to convict four men of stealing £1.75 million was £1.6 million. I’m sorry to make a cheap point but which ones are the robbers?

As someone who started his police career in 1971 in London, I was soon to find myself in the higher courts giving evidence on behalf of the Crown. One case, at what used to be known as The Inner London Quarter Sessions, was particularly memorable for me. The defence barrister, who eventually became quite famous, did an excellent job of portraying me as, amongst other things, `forgetful`, `mistaken`, `short sighted` (I actually wasn't, then), `dishonest` and `corrupt`. This, as any seasoned plod reading this (and who has managed to get some Crown Court time in) will recognise, as simply par for the course.

After this trial, where the guilty man was acquitted (which of course makes him not guilty in everyone's book - except mine) this charming barrister came up to me outside the court, put his arm around my shoulder and told me that I had done an excellent job, that he felt I would be a worthy opponent in a future trial and would have to `watch out for me` and finally, not to take what he said personally because `it was all part of the game`. After many more jury trial appearances in my career, I formed the firm belief (I almost said `conviction` then) that if I ever found myself in real trouble and facing criminal charges, I would always elect for a jury trial if I possibly could. This wasn't because I believed in the principle of being tried by my peers...by "twelve good men and true"...but because I considered that it was ultimately my very best chance of acquittal - especially if I happened to be guilty. I have studied the law both academically and practically, albeit the latter merely as a police officer, and this still remains my firm belief.

I have also studied the justice system in The Netherlands, a very liberal democracy, and there is no such thing as a jury trial there, although this is occasionally the subject of vigorous debate . I think the answers lay somewhere in between the two and would cite the case of Clive Ponting as a prime example where the jury system can send a clear message of discontent from an otherwise powerless public, although one could argue that this was more about aspects of the Official Secrets Act and decisions of Government than it was about the pure facts of whether he was really guilty or not, in the pure legal sense. This is particularly poignant in the light of the current enquiry into how we were committed to war in The Gulf.

As for me, give me `twelve good men or women and true` or a mixture of both sexes - but only if I'm guilty. As for having to face a tribunal of canny and experienced legal experts, I wouldn't feel so confident.

* From Gilbert and Sullivan's "Trial by Jury"

The original post can be found http://hogday-afternoon.blogspot.com/2010/03/she-may-very-well-pass-for-forty-three.html

It’s simply criminal

Published on March 30, 2010 in Uncategorized. Closed

written by The Blue Light Run from The Blue Light Run

If there is anything guaranteed to get you out of the rain in order to spend 9 hours in custody, it's arresting 3 juveniles for criminal damage. I have to thank them for keeping my aging bones free from any damp induced ill effects as well as keeping the mileage on police cars really low, as my designated response car moved exactly two miles in an 11 hour shift.
So what makes it so complicated? Well it's not the work - three kids caught by CCTV 'tagging' a wall in broad daylight, the offending paintsticks still in their possesion when searched and exercise books with practice 'tags' seized in house searches as well as an admission from two of them prior to getting to custody. Easy you would think? Even without a solicitor the custody process is painful, appropriate adults have to be organised, the juvies rights & entitlements must be given. A fight with a drink driver in custody didn't help matters, all non police personnel were removed whilst officers (me included) ushered the offender into a cell who was subsequently strip searched.
All three were interviewed and two made admissions. The third stated he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. After a referral to the youth offending team, they were released back into the custody of their parents who made noises about confiscating xboxes etc (yay - way to dish out punishment, go mom, go dad). Another hour submitting the relevant forms and completing a crime report and we were all good to go home. All six of us. Yes it took six to deal with three prisoners (3 tutors, 3 probationers). We were all off late, but at least we were dry, that's the main thing (apart from the detection for the command team of course). At least I can go to bed content in the knowledge three punks were off our streets for at least 11 hours...

The original post can be found http://thebluelightrun.blogspot.com/2010/03/it-simply-criminal.html

Moving on….

Published on March 30, 2010 in Uncategorized. Closed

written by Officer Dibble from Tales from the Metropolis

I think it was the article in the papers about the PCSO’s wearing the step counters and how many miles they walked that tipped me over the edge. I was mulling this over and thought if they recently ever strapped one on my leg and checked a week later they would probably call in an FME to check for signs of life. I realised I had become very disillusioned with what I was currently doing and the way it was run. Things had become far too quiet and there was a lot of talk about doing things, but not actually doing it.

Anyway a couple of weeks later I was back in the real world again and it was like I had never been away.Volume crime,lots of it and never enough people to keep the workloads manageable. Still it keeps the brain active as I keep a number of plates spinning, hoping the plate that falls off won’t cost me my job.Its been a bit hectic whilst I find my ‘sea legs’ again which is my excuse for missing January and February and most of March

I was quickly reminded that a good day when you are rostered dealing with prisoners is to find one who is an adult,speaks English,is deemed without mental health issues,does not require a solicitor and has provided an address suitable for bail.
I had also forgotten how long it takes to actually book one in. The list of questions asked of our poor customer contains enquiries on many issues including their dietary needs and is their detention today going to affect any child care issues.

'I shouldn't go out and commit crime so these questions would not be needed officer'

This response would be a start but sadly we get requests for a number of diets and of course there often seems to be a young one or three awaiting the return of the parent home from the day of toil to provide and care for their loved ones.
Unfortunately diligent store detectives and security often get in the way of such parenting, but somehow its become the custody staff's issue to resolve it!

Mustn't grumble...means to an end... unless that plate falls off..mmmmm must dash

The original post can be found http://officerdibble01.blogspot.com/2010/03/i-think-it-was-article-in-papers-about.html

20 Years Ago – Honour And Fidelity

Published on March 30, 2010 in Uncategorized. Closed

written by Stressed Out Cop from Stressed Out Cop

The Somewhat Sparse Line

20 years ago I was at a riot only it wasn't, as I don't recall anybody being convicted of that particular offence. Those of us present knew it was going to kick off. We knew because we'd been working at numerous smaller disturbances when tax rates were set at Town Halls. Mainly we were held in reserve at Territorial Army bases only to get a run out out at the end after the front line had been given a hard time. I recall sitting there on a PSU when urgent assistance calls were made on one demo where protesters were trying to turn a police car over, and still we sat.

The grubby demonstrators took great delight in telling us this was just a warm up for the big one on 31st March. They knew it and I for one believed them. I don't know about the big master plan for policing the demonstration that day but somebody somewhere got it horribly wrong. I think they believed it might go bent but not so early in the day. This might explain the lack of PSU's on the event. There were several football match's that day and the reserve PSU's were to police those and be called up as and when disorder took place.

My Inspector played a blinder and got a promotion on the strength of it. He got us kitted up without being told so we were jogging up Whitehall just as the uniform line was pushed out of Trafalgar Square. You've probably seen that footage and it's clear there was no Plan B at that point and no public order reserves in position to take their place.

My PSU entered the square to relative silence. It was a weird atmosphere as if everybody was waiting to see what happened next. The bulk of the crowd on the actual square were there for the rally and the black bloc had placed themselves by Northumberland Avenue, where a building site provided a ready supply of missiles. A couple of these were thrown and we ran forwards to keep a sterile area in that corner. As we stepped back we caught a volley from the crowd to our immediate right.

It's hard to explain what it's like when you get hit. I felt like a cartoon character who has an anvil dropped on their head. I actually saw stars, had a ringing in my ears and my face exploded with blood pouring from my nose and also filling my mouth. I coughed this out thus covering the inside of my visor morphing from cartoon character to a scene out of Alien. That was me out of it. It must had looked bad as a young WPC screamed "Oh my God!" as I trudged through the police line like a bloodied boxer leaving the ring, having suffered a first round knock out.

A quick ambulance ride to our delegated hospital luckily had me at the front of the queue. A very nice army doctor had been drafted in to gain experience of dealing with mass casualties. Some running repairs by her without anaesthetic had me back on the road in no time. My mate was also in the queue and was missing several teeth and his lip was hanging off. Oh how we laughed - really we did, me more than him obviously. Things didn't feel as bad on seeing the state of him. By now the police injured were arriving in police vans so I was able to get a lift to Whitehall. I rejoined my PSU back in the square and the remaining protesters were pushed out of the area into the West End. Unfortunately this led to theatre goers being abused and shops being looted.

You don't need to know what happened next but let's just say order was restored and not all looters were arrested. This was the nearest I'll ever get to anarchy and I don't want to see it again. My memories consist of the quickest ever pub clearance and a protester attempting to roll a rubbish bin into the path of our carrier before realising we were actually heading his way. We missed him just ! driver obviously never saw him.

The management afterwards tried to put a positive spin on things, but operationally it was a disaster and we got hammered. All of my PSU sustained injuries of varying degrees. Any dreams I had of being a male model ended that day with another scar added to my body. In the years that followed I've added many more alongside the mental ones. Poor intelligence, Poor preparation and poor tactics in sweeping protesters into the West End. Remember that when complaining about kettling cordons.

The black bloc was about 10 thousand strong that day and most of them couldn't be described as taxpayers. I've read that their leaders see it as their greatest day in mobilising the people to bring down the poll tax, so much so that they're celebrating the anniversary today.

My PSU that day were brilliant and didn't shirk anything. Nobody bottled it and despite being in the thick of it, could look each other in the eye and know we were one and would never let each other down ever. Honour and Fidelity, words best describing the discipline of the team that day.

I won't go into details but the missile thrower got nicked on the post operation investigation. If it wasn't for my Nato helmet I could have been killed or ended up with a concave face, and that's not an exaggeration. I wonder if he cared that I was newly married and living in a police flat within a socialist enclave who'd hiked up their poll tax rate. I doubt it very much but hey crusty .. I forgive you .. it's what we do right?

Three police forces present that day should you think I'm showing out.

The original post can be found http://stressedoutcop.blogspot.com/2010/03/20-years-ago-honour-and-fidelity.html

Who am I ?

Published on March 30, 2010 in Uncategorized. Closed

written by whichendbites from WHICHENDBITES

Since I joined the Police, way, way back then, I have learned much and performed many, many roles. Some of them easy and some of them not so easy.

I have been:

a marriage guidance counselor

an acting veterinary nurse,

a teacher,

a babysitter,

I’ve listened to advice from knowledgeable and experienced people,

I’ve also listened to advice from idiots and people who do not have a clue what they are talking about,

I’ve been an odd job man,

a translator,

a wrestler,

a boxer,

a fight referee,

a vehicle repair engineer,

a traffic controller,

a dog catcher,

a nightclub doorman,

a member of the sprint detention team,

a person who delivers unfortunate and unwanted bad news,

a person who sometimes delivers good news,

I have entered with a key, without a key through an open door and sometimes kicked or forced that door that prevents entry,

a writer of fact,

a listener of fiction,

I have been a cook,

an arbitrary decision maker,

a companion,

I have not told lies to cover someone else’s arse,

I have been a friend,

a plan or map drawer,

a walking encyclopedia,

I have seen over-promotion for strategic credibility instead of policing credibility,

I have seen countless guidelines and recommendations ignored because it suits someone else’s agenda,

I have been a good Samaritan,

a walking street-map,

a local information centre,

a medic,

an emergency plumber,

I have been spat at, punched, kicked, head butted, verbally abused, had things thrown at me or been threatened with a bladed instrument ( formerly a knife),

I have seen many fine officers frustrated by those who appear to have forgotten that they were once a 24/7 police officer.

I have been a taxi-driver,

an unwanted guest,

a welcome guest,

a listening ear,

a mind reader,

I have walked many a whole night shift in the freezing night air, in the pouring rain or in the humid, sweltering muggy heat dressed in a uniform that was not suited to allow me to do some of the things I expected to come across, I have still met my supervisor when and where I was expected despite having jobs on the go, I wore a cape regularly until I spent more time in cars,

I have been a surrogate and temporary parent,

I have been someone’s worst nightmare,

I have been someone’s saviour,

I have seen someone take their first breath as well as their last breath,

I have been a one man cordon,

I have experienced only a handful of very good senior officers,

I have been one of a small group against a far larger group,

I have been very, very, very patient, tolerant & understanding,

I have been considerate, restrained and hidden my true feelings,

I have been accused of being a liar,

I have failed to save a life,

I have seen and smelt death,

I have comforted and reassured,

I have always learnt from what I have done,

I have been an emergency fireman,

I have been the last person someone wanted to see as well as the first,

I have been told I am a Police officer first and a dog handler second (yes being bitten hurts),

I have been loved, hated, admired and despised in varying amounts.

I have always tried my best,

I understand that those who police and those who manage/lead are fundamentally different because of the roles they do,

I have gone home at the end of my shift because my dog (s), have been there with me,

I have been scared for my own safety,

I have acted without fear for my own safety but to protect others who are in fear themselves,

I have always been judged by those who do not do the same job, take the same risks or work under the same accountability as I,

I have listened to countless politicians talk about how they want to improve my role, how they need to show how I am accountable and how they want to make my job easier,

I have protected life and property,

I have the respect of my peers,

I have listened to countless senior management talk about how they are improving my role only for them to move on and the next in line change things to support their own career aims and not to support or complement the work done by their predecessor,

I have wasted far too much of my time and effort completing statistical information for other people to justify their own position or to show how well they are managing what I do, yet none of these people know me,

I have repeated the last two things because they have probably had the most negative effect on me during my service.

I have learned about tolerance, compassion, that there are a lot of nice people out there but still some people who have no social conscience and will burgle your house or even kill someone and not care one bit about doing so,

I have seen the victim not see justice all too often,

I have seen colleagues fail to get the recognition they deserve,

I have seen repeat offenders not get custodial sentences,

I have seen Policing become a brand to be promoted at every available opportunity, some of them totally inappropriate.

I have experienced poor vehicles because they are cheaper,

I have been subject to mileage restrictions because of targets,

I have been advised because I have not reported enough people or submitted enough admin for people to measure,

I have experienced death in many forms, from violent, unexpected and unpleasant to peaceful, calm and dignified,

I have led a varied and rewarding career.

I am a police officer.

But I am a dog handler first. I did not join to become a sergeant, Inspector or above. I joined because I wanted to become a dog handler.

It is not a game or a fair weather trend…………..It’s for keeps.