Officers Prepare To Remember The Fallen

Police Officers from around the country are preparing to remember comrades who have made the ultimate sacrifice on duty at the forthcoming National Police Memorial Day.

The annual event – which is in its eighth year – is being held at the Royal Concert Hall in Glasgow on September 25 and is an opportunity to reflect the courage and commitment of the fallen.

The occasion is also a time for family members to remember their lost loved ones.

This year's congregation, which is expected to number some 2,000, is also set to include senior political figures as well as every chief constable in the UK.

Always dignified and sensitive, the service evokes a mixture of emotions, from sadness of loss to immense pride at the valour and ultimate sacrifice of fallen officers.

National Police Memorial Day was founded in 2004 by Sgt Joe Holness and is annually rotated around the UK. Last year's event was held in Northern Ireland (pictured above).

Attendees at the service in Belfast included Northern Ireland Justice Minister David Ford, Home Secretary Theresa May and PSNI Chief Constable Matt Baggott.

Article Courtesy of: Cliff Caswell - www.policeoracle.com

My Condolences to the People of Norway

Following the terrible news of the atrocities committed in Norway this past weekend I wish to extend my deepest sympathies to the families, friends and all the citizens of Norway at this time of extreme grief and distress. I am deeply saddened at the extent of the massacre of all those lovely young people. I watched the account on television by one of the survivors, Adrian Pracon, and was greatly impressed by his stoicism in the face of such a terrible experience.

How someone could become so crazed, evil and warped to perpetrate such a horrific crime is beyond human comprehension. I hope it will serve to help the people of Norway to know that many people in other nations feel for them greatly at this sad time and will be remembering them in thoughts and prayers in the coming days and weeks.

Extract From Max Hastings On The Phone Hacking Scandal

Latest article http://thinbluelineuk.blogspot.com/2011/07/if-power-corrupts-and-absolute-power.html

EXTRACT . . . .

Quote from Max Hastings: “When the dust settles from the phone-hacking row, the most serious reputational damage will almost certainly prove to have been sustained by the police. The public is justly cynical about Britain’s media underworld. People may be disgusted by the revelations of the past fortnight, but I doubt they are shocked.

The police, however, are a different kettle of fish. We need to believe that Britain’s law enforcers are honest and efficient. Yet this saga deals a body-blow to any such presumptions.

Whatever the findings of the judicial inquiry into phone-hacking and bribery, we can already see that some of Britain’s most senior officers had close and almost certainly improper relations with News International”.

Article courtesy of Steve Bennett. Retired West Midlands Police Officer. I recommend a visit to this truly excellent blog:-

http://thinbluelineuk.blogspot.com

Massive Impact Of Police Bail Ruling

Senior ACPO (Association of Chief Police Officers) have urgently been considering the way forward after a court ruling effectively restricted length of time suspects can be released on police bail.

The ruling, which involved a case from Greater Manchester Police, means that officers can effectively no longer freeze the time a suspect is held without charge when they are bailed.

This could potentially mean that officers must conclude their initial investigation and reach the point of charge within a maximum time of 96 hours from the point of arrest. However, officers could theoretically re-arrest a suspect.

During a question-and-answer session during an event hosted by the think-tank Reform, Home Secretary Theresa May said the issue had caused "great concern".
about the matter and would not rule out considering the introduction of emergency legislation.

The situation arose following a GMP murder investigation, when the extension of a warrant for further detention of a suspect under Section 44 of PACE (Police & Criminal Evidence Act) was refused by City of Salford JPs.

The Force had sought an application for a judicial review of the decision, which was dismissed by Mr Justice McCombe during a hearing at the High Court in May. GMP is now seeking leave to appeal to the Supreme Court.

Force spokesman ACC Terry Sweeney said that all staff are aware of the ruling and what the impact was likely to be on their day-to-day duties. He added: "This is an unprecedented police issue, the full implications of which are being assessed.

"This ruling affects how police forces nationally deal with people in custody and we have made an application to the Supreme Court to appeal it.

"We are working closely with various agencies and I want to reassure the public it will not affect the way we police Greater Manchester or services we provide."

Assistant Chief Constable Andy Adams, ACPO Lead for Custody, shared the concerns of his colleague.

He added: "As it stands, this ruling has a profound impact on how PACE has been interpreted and used during the last 25 years. This issue needs clarification so all those involved in the administration of justice can be clear about the impact and consequences.

"We are working in partnership with colleagues across the criminal justice system and have commissioned a QC to advise on the ruling and its impact on policing.

"The decision in this case has the potential for a wide reaching impact and ACPO has significant concerns as to the effect it will have on policing."

Article courtesy of www.policeoracle.com