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...and what the American officer thought of it all
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| Ohio policeman Brian Smith |
UNBELIEVABLE was the only word American police officer Brian Smith could find to describe a Saturday night in Colchester.
The officer arrived in Essex from Columbus, in Ohio, last Tuesday to experience for himself traditional English policing.
As part of his visit he chose to spend a shift with the Colchester town team, policing the area from 10pm to 4am.
At shortly before midnight, the Gazette asked him to sum up what he had seen.
"I just cannot believe it," he said.
"There are a lot of people out drinking, I'm amazed at the number of people. And it is so early yet they are so drunk.
"I think people in America don't drink this heavily, or not that I've ever seen.
"Women are out by themselves here, but in America people are in groups of five or ten, never less than that, let alone on their own.
"It just seems like people are less responsible here."
In America you have to be 21 to drink, but even then Officer Smith said the drinking culture is very different.
He said the only places where you get large groups of people coming together to drink are at universities and colleges, but even then the police are almost never needed.
Officer Smith added that they don't have anything like the "town centre" with pubs, clubs and bars in one place.
5:06pm Tuesday 6th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: Mr Colchester, Colchester on 5:27pm Tue 6 May 08
[quote]The officer arrived in Essex from Columbus, in Ohio, last Tuesday to experience for himself traditional English policing.[/quote]
So you learnt all about paperwork, popping out for a drive in a Police Car and parking in the bus stop on the High Street to go to Subway to fill your face. Then you would disappear back to the nick to do more paperwork while PCSO"S and Special Constables are left to patrol the Town. Typical Colchester policing nevermind English.
The officer arrived in Essex from Columbus, in Ohio, last Tuesday to experience for himself traditional English policing.
So you learnt all about paperwork, popping out for a drive in a Police Car and parking in the bus stop on the High Street to go to Subway to fill your face. Then you would disappear back to the nick to do more paperwork while PCSO"S and Special Constables are left to patrol the Town. Typical Colchester policing nevermind English.
Posted by: DCI Hunt, Colchester on 6:20pm Tue 6 May 08
[quote][bold]Mr Colchester[/bold] wrote:
[quote]The officer arrived in Essex from Columbus, in Ohio, last Tuesday to experience for himself traditional English policing.[/quote] So you learnt all about paperwork, popping out for a drive in a Police Car and parking in the bus stop on the High Street to go to Subway to fill your face. Then you would disappear back to the nick to do more paperwork while PCSO\"S and Special Constables are left to patrol the Town. Typical Colchester policing nevermind English.[/quote] C-harlie O-scar
C-harlie K-ilo.
Dear Colchester
Obviously you were the brightest of your remedial group at school.
By not knowing what we do, you assume we do nothing. Usual public attitude.
Mr Colchester wrote:
The officer arrived in Essex from Columbus, in Ohio, last Tuesday to experience for himself traditional English policing.
So you learnt all about paperwork, popping out for a drive in a Police Car and parking in the bus stop on the High Street to go to Subway to fill your face. Then you would disappear back to the nick to do more paperwork while PCSO\"S and Special Constables are left to patrol the Town. Typical Colchester policing nevermind English.
C-harlie O-scar
C-harlie K-ilo.
Dear Colchester
Obviously you were the brightest of your remedial group at school.
By not knowing what we do, you assume we do nothing. Usual public attitude.
Posted by: trojan, Essex on 7:20pm Tue 6 May 08
Well said DCI. To the uninitiated Police do spend a considerable amount of time doing paperwork, that's undeniable, but it is not their fault, it's a requirement of the job, imposed by the CPS, by the government, imposed by the very nature of the job. As for driving in a Police car - how else are Police supposed to get around? I am sure there are no problems with sales reps using a car to get about so why havea moan about how Police get about. Using 'subway' - I know some people do not like Police having a refreshment break but I defy anyone to do a shift at their work place withour a break. In addition should an emergency need attending they will stop their break. Vehicles are parked close to where Police are attending to allow quick acess should they receive an emergency call. I am sure no one will want to wait when they have called 999 for Police to wander back to a car park to pick up their car.
So lets not make ill informed comments
Well said DCI. To the uninitiated Police do spend a considerable amount of time doing paperwork, that's undeniable, but it is not their fault, it's a requirement of the job, imposed by the CPS, by the government, imposed by the very nature of the job. As for driving in a Police car - how else are Police supposed to get around? I am sure there are no problems with sales reps using a car to get about so why havea moan about how Police get about. Using 'subway' - I know some people do not like Police having a refreshment break but I defy anyone to do a shift at their work place withour a break. In addition should an emergency need attending they will stop their break. Vehicles are parked close to where Police are attending to allow quick acess should they receive an emergency call. I am sure no one will want to wait when they have called 999 for Police to wander back to a car park to pick up their car.
So lets not make ill informed comments
Posted by: Mr Colchester, Colchester on 7:24pm Tue 6 May 08
Im not criticising Im just telling it how it is. Like how can a certain special constable and a certain PCSO be allowed to patrol together when they are in a relationship? Are the public being looked after or are they off doing something else? Bad management in my eyes. Im not dissing the Police. I know a few who have left. Paperwork and station politics the main reasons. Instead of being offended by my comments keep up the good work. As I said Im just telling how I see it.
Im not criticising Im just telling it how it is. Like how can a certain special constable and a certain PCSO be allowed to patrol together when they are in a relationship? Are the public being looked after or are they off doing something else? Bad management in my eyes. Im not dissing the Police. I know a few who have left. Paperwork and station politics the main reasons. Instead of being offended by my comments keep up the good work. As I said Im just telling how I see it.
Posted by: Ginette Henson, Las vegas Nevada on 4:20am Wed 7 May 08
I have lived in more than one state in america.unlike officer Smith i think
Peoples in america drink and do a lot more drugs which seems to be normal over here,
The reason women in america can't walk alone is because its not safe, woman and children get kidnap in broad daylight, on the bus stop in the supermarket parking lot.
I have lived in more than one state in america.unlike officer Smith i think
Peoples in america drink and do a lot more drugs which seems to be normal over here,
The reason women in america can't walk alone is because its not safe, woman and children get kidnap in broad daylight, on the bus stop in the supermarket parking lot.
Posted by: DI Tyler on 8:16am Wed 7 May 08
[quote] Like how can a certain special constable and a certain PCSO be allowed to patrol together when they are in a relationship? Are the public being looked after or are they off doing something else?[/quote]
I think you should be very careful exactly what you put in print Mr Colchester
Like how can a certain special constable and a certain PCSO be allowed to patrol together when they are in a relationship? Are the public being looked after or are they off doing something else?
I think you should be very careful exactly what you put in print Mr Colchester
Posted by: NOTAPLOD, Colchester on 8:32am Wed 7 May 08
This thread has got the Plods are out in force to defend their right to park wherever they want to.
Of course they use the excuse that it is in the name of [bold]"in case we are needed in an emergency".[/bold]
Rubbish, it is sheer lazyness. It is because they know they won't be challenged. It seems it is again one rule for the Police and the rest of us would get a fixed penalty if we did the same thing. "Do what I Say and Not What I Do" should be their motto.
The other Friday morning a police minibus parked in the taxi rank on the High Street at 9.00am. About 8 plods trooped into McDonalds and they all queued up to buy and then sit down to eat breakfast.
Their vehicle was there for over 30 minutes and two Parking Attendants totally ignored it but they were quick to move a van driver on, who was trying to deliver goods to a shop.
The police also use the North Station Road bus lanes on a daily basis, even when they are not on an emergency call and their disregard for speed limits are well known. In 2006 103 Essex police vehicles were caught on speed cameras in Essex. How many prosecutions were there for speeding.
[bold]A big fat ZERO![/bold]
It is there for all to see but senior officers turn a blind eye and actions like these are one of the main reasons why the general population have little respect for police these days.
This thread has got the Plods are out in force to defend their right to park wherever they want to.
Of course they use the excuse that it is in the name of
"in case we are needed in an emergency".
Rubbish, it is sheer lazyness. It is because they know they won't be challenged. It seems it is again one rule for the Police and the rest of us would get a fixed penalty if we did the same thing. "Do what I Say and Not What I Do" should be their motto.
The other Friday morning a police minibus parked in the taxi rank on the High Street at 9.00am. About 8 plods trooped into McDonalds and they all queued up to buy and then sit down to eat breakfast.
Their vehicle was there for over 30 minutes and two Parking Attendants totally ignored it but they were quick to move a van driver on, who was trying to deliver goods to a shop.
The police also use the North Station Road bus lanes on a daily basis, even when they are not on an emergency call and their disregard for speed limits are well known. In 2006 103 Essex police vehicles were caught on speed cameras in Essex. How many prosecutions were there for speeding.
A big fat ZERO!
It is there for all to see but senior officers turn a blind eye and actions like these are one of the main reasons why the general population have little respect for police these days.
Posted by: DCI Hunt, Colchester on 7:23pm Wed 7 May 08
[quote][bold]NOTAPLOD[/bold] wrote:
This thread has got the Plods are out in force to defend their right to park wherever they want to. Of course they use the excuse that it is in the name of [bold]"in case we are needed in an emergency".[/bold] Rubbish, it is sheer lazyness. It is because they know they won't be challenged. It seems it is again one rule for the Police and the rest of us would get a fixed penalty if we did the same thing. "Do what I Say and Not What I Do" should be their motto. The other Friday morning a police minibus parked in the taxi rank on the High Street at 9.00am. About 8 plods trooped into McDonalds and they all queued up to buy and then sit down to eat breakfast. Their vehicle was there for over 30 minutes and two Parking Attendants totally ignored it but they were quick to move a van driver on, who was trying to deliver goods to a shop. The police also use the North Station Road bus lanes on a daily basis, even when they are not on an emergency call and their disregard for speed limits are well known. In 2006 103 Essex police vehicles were caught on speed cameras in Essex. How many prosecutions were there for speeding. [bold]A big fat ZERO![/bold] It is there for all to see but senior officers turn a blind eye and actions like these are one of the main reasons why the general population have little respect for police these days. [/quote] Bus lane excemption to all emrgency service vehicles, and speeding Police well all 103 vehicles were all on Emergency response .Every camera activation has to be investigated for legal reasons. Quite agree with you on the Macdonalds incident No excuse there what so ever and should be challenged by parking attendants. Lead by example or quotes like this happen
NOTAPLOD wrote:
This thread has got the Plods are out in force to defend their right to park wherever they want to. Of course they use the excuse that it is in the name of "in case we are needed in an emergency". Rubbish, it is sheer lazyness. It is because they know they won't be challenged. It seems it is again one rule for the Police and the rest of us would get a fixed penalty if we did the same thing. "Do what I Say and Not What I Do" should be their motto. The other Friday morning a police minibus parked in the taxi rank on the High Street at 9.00am. About 8 plods trooped into McDonalds and they all queued up to buy and then sit down to eat breakfast. Their vehicle was there for over 30 minutes and two Parking Attendants totally ignored it but they were quick to move a van driver on, who was trying to deliver goods to a shop. The police also use the North Station Road bus lanes on a daily basis, even when they are not on an emergency call and their disregard for speed limits are well known. In 2006 103 Essex police vehicles were caught on speed cameras in Essex. How many prosecutions were there for speeding. A big fat ZERO! It is there for all to see but senior officers turn a blind eye and actions like these are one of the main reasons why the general population have little respect for police these days.
Bus lane excemption to all emrgency service vehicles, and speeding Police well all 103 vehicles were all on Emergency response .Every camera activation has to be investigated for legal reasons. Quite agree with you on the Macdonalds incident No excuse there what so ever and should be challenged by parking attendants. Lead by example or quotes like this happen
Posted by: NOTAPLOD, Col on 6:51am Thu 8 May 08
DCI Hunt...check your facts? The Freedom of information act is there for us all to use.
Of the 103 police vehicles caught on speed cameras only 68 were actually on a "blue light" emergency call. All the rest were not but still no prosecutions?
DCI Hunt...check your facts? The Freedom of information act is there for us all to use.
Of the 103 police vehicles caught on speed cameras only 68 were actually on a "blue light" emergency call. All the rest were not but still no prosecutions?
Posted by: Ginsters Dragon, Wivenhoe on 12:23pm Thu 8 May 08
I wholeheartedly agree with NOTAPLOD's sentiments. The police believe that they are above criticism and when faced with public disapproval resort to abuse: "C-harlie O-scar
C-harlie K-ilo". (DCI material apparently, truly frightening)
or righteous indignation.
The simple fact is that the police (self) 'service' is overpaid (legacy of Thatcher) and not properly accountable..Just you try making a complaint to the IPCC!
As for DI Tyler's thinly veiled threat along the lines of 'watch what you say sunshine'- I'd remind him/her that for something to be libelous the public would have to be able to identify the person potentially being libelled. Still, don't let a little thing like the law spoil your fun.
I wholeheartedly agree with NOTAPLOD's sentiments. The police believe that they are above criticism and when faced with public disapproval resort to abuse: "C-harlie O-scar
C-harlie K-ilo". (DCI material apparently, truly frightening)
or righteous indignation.
The simple fact is that the police (self) 'service' is overpaid (legacy of Thatcher) and not properly accountable..Just you try making a complaint to the IPCC!
As for DI Tyler's thinly veiled threat along the lines of 'watch what you say sunshine'- I'd remind him/her that for something to be libelous the public would have to be able to identify the person potentially being libelled. Still, don't let a little thing like the law spoil your fun.
Posted by: DCI Hunt, Colchester on 2:45pm Thu 8 May 08
[quote][bold]NOTAPLOD[/bold] wrote:
DCI Hunt...check your facts? The Freedom of information act is there for us all to use. Of the 103 police vehicles caught on speed cameras only 68 were actually on a "blue light" emergency call. All the rest were not but still no prosecutions? [/quote] Check your facts again, if a Police vehicle is being used for Police Purposes and the speed of the road would interfere and delay in the use of that vehicle for the detection and prevention of crime then there is a defence in law to exceed that limit. We dont always have to use blue lights. Oh and DCI Hunt is a pseudonym and no i am not DCI material , but you will be glad to see me when i turn up for your safety.
NOTAPLOD wrote:
DCI Hunt...check your facts? The Freedom of information act is there for us all to use. Of the 103 police vehicles caught on speed cameras only 68 were actually on a "blue light" emergency call. All the rest were not but still no prosecutions?
Check your facts again, if a Police vehicle is being used for Police Purposes and the speed of the road would interfere and delay in the use of that vehicle for the detection and prevention of crime then there is a defence in law to exceed that limit. We dont always have to use blue lights. Oh and DCI Hunt is a pseudonym and no i am not DCI material , but you will be glad to see me when i turn up for your safety.
Posted by: Ginsters Dragon, Wivenhoe on 4:41pm Thu 8 May 08
'Pseudonym'- I am impressed. I think you've undersold yourself, you already reach the intellectual heights required for CS.
And 'turn up for my safety' - ah, that's what you do is it? Just so long as I'm not Brazilian or a former West Ham manager presumably.
As regards your interpretation of road traffic law, that would presumably give every boy racer copper license to drive like an idiot any time they feel like it? Still, we can sleep safe in the knowledge that they'd never do that can't we?
Sorry but I have very little respect for the 'good old' British plod. This isn't based on prejudice or stereotypes, but personal experience and their somewhat chequered track record.
'Pseudonym'- I am impressed. I think you've undersold yourself, you already reach the intellectual heights required for CS.
And 'turn up for my safety' - ah, that's what you do is it? Just so long as I'm not Brazilian or a former West Ham manager presumably.
As regards your interpretation of road traffic law, that would presumably give every boy racer copper license to drive like an idiot any time they feel like it? Still, we can sleep safe in the knowledge that they'd never do that can't we?
Sorry but I have very little respect for the 'good old' British plod. This isn't based on prejudice or stereotypes, but personal experience and their somewhat chequered track record.
Posted by: Mr Man, Colchester on 5:17pm Mon 12 May 08
DCI Hunt & DCI Tyler should refrain from posting messages of this nature on a public forum if they are genuine policemen serving in the Essex force.
I draw particular attention to DCI Hunt's 'C-harlie O-scar C-harlie K-ilo' comment, which could be construed as an abusive message.
http://www.essex.pol
ice.uk/advice/v_con_
01.php
We always welcome and encourage feedback as it is an important element to understanding how we can improve our service. As such we hope you are happy with the way Essex Police dealt with you and if so we would ask you to tell us when you are.
[italic]Essex Police website: 'If however you feel we have not met the high standards we have set or you are otherwise unhappy with the service provided or with the conduct of our staff, you can make a complaint.'[/italic]
DCI Hunt & DCI Tyler should refrain from posting messages of this nature on a public forum if they are genuine policemen serving in the Essex force.
I draw particular attention to DCI Hunt's 'C-harlie O-scar C-harlie K-ilo' comment, which could be construed as an abusive message.
http://www.essex.pol
ice.uk/advice/v_con_
01.php
We always welcome and encourage feedback as it is an important element to understanding how we can improve our service. As such we hope you are happy with the way Essex Police dealt with you and if so we would ask you to tell us when you are.
Essex Police website: 'If however you feel we have not met the high standards we have set or you are otherwise unhappy with the service provided or with the conduct of our staff, you can make a complaint.'
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