Happy New Year to Bloggers everywhere!

Seasonal Greetings to you all

May I wish everyone love, joy and peace this Christmastide and every blessing in the New Year

POLICE PROBE FORTUNE FOUND IN RIVER

Investigation underway after a bag containing thousands in banknotes is discovered

Police have appealed for information after a dog walker found hundreds of thousands of pounds in banknotes floating down a river.

The walker alerted police to the cash in the South Drove Drain near Spalding town centre, Lincolnshire.

Officers said a large amount of the money was water damaged but a good quantity was still in good condition.

"It isn't every day that an amount of money like this is found and somebody must have information that will help the police trace the lawful owner," said Detective Constable Steve Hull of Spalding CID.

A forensic examination has been carried out on the notes and police have been granted a seizure order by the Magistrates Court to investigate its origin.

It is understood the Bank of England will assist in the investigation and final money count.

If no owner is found, the money will become the subject of a further court forfeiture order.

Article courtesy of  Ananova and www.policeoracle.com

Old Age and Yoga !

"You didn't shave very well and your tie is crooked!"  She should have gone to Specsavers !!!!!!!!

Lib Dems dream of a European FBI

I am grateful to my MEP (Member of European Parliament) Mr. Ashley Fox for drawing this Lib Dem proposal to my attention in his latest Newsletter.  I share his opposition to such a plan. I quote him verbatim;

"I was somewhat shocked last month when I heard Liberal Democrat MEP Bill Newton Dunn calling for the European Union to have its own FBI-style law enforcement agency - with sweeping powers to intervene in criminal investigations across the continent.

In an interview with America's NBC news website, the East Midlands MEP insisted that a Europe-wide
police force was necessary to counter cross-border crime -and even claimed the move would save money.

I personally find the whole proposal deeply distasteful. Sadly this is a prime example of Liberal Democrats
letting their federalist ambitions get the better of them. According to their Euro-fanatical agenda, the EU must
be turned into a European superstate with all the trappings of statehood - president, foreign policy,diplomatic service, army and police force. It is crazy federalism, pure and simple. They have already enthusiastically embraced the idea of playing soldiers with taxpayers’ money by creating a European defence capability. Now they want to play cops and robbers too.

The answers to the problems of crossborder crime are closer co-operation and co-ordination between national forces, and more sophisticated sharing of intelligence. Not a huge Europe-wide squad of supposed supersleuths.

You can imagine how our own excellent police service would react to a Euro-FBI barging in with powers to over-rule them, to interfere in their work or even take over their investigations. That is how the FBI operates in the USA. Europe does not need a federal police force because it is not a federal state. A Brussels FBI would be more Clouseau than Poirot."

How do you feel about such a proposal? Constructive comments most welcome.

Calling The Vet !

Calling the Vet –

too funny not to

share..

A dog lover, whose dog was a female and on heat, agreed to look after her neighbours' male dog while they were on holiday.

 

She had a large house and believed that she could keep the two dogs apart.

 

However, as she was drifting off to sleep she heard awful howling and moaning sounds.  Rushing downstairs she found the dogs locked together, in obvious pain and unable to disengage, as can happen when dogs mate.

 

Unable to separate them, and not knowing what to do next, although it was late, she called the vet, who answered in a very grumpy voice.

 

Having explained the problem to him, the vet said, “Hang up the phone and place it down alongside the dogs. I will then call you back and the noise of the ringing will make the male lose his erection and he will be able to withdraw."

 

"Do you think that will work?" she asked.

"It just worked for me !" he replied 

Police Fitness tests: Concerns over costs and fairness

The fitness testing regime proposed under Winsor’s review of Police pay and conditions will prove disproportionately costly – and will hit older officers and women, it has been claimed.
Addressing the Police Federation’s Sergeants’ Central Conference Jayne Monkhouse – who advises the staff association on equality issues – suggested that annual testing with sanctions for failure could lay forces open to discrimination claims.
The test is set initially to take the form of a 15-minute shuttle run – but is proposed to be replaced by a more demanding regime based on that used by the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
Officers in the province are put through a battery of tests to ensure they are able to fulfil tasks such as climbing in and out of armoured vehicles and move casualties to safety.
While pay reviewer Tom Winsor had recommended that this scheme should be set up in England and Wales in 2018, plans to introduce it are currently on ice.
But speaking during a discussion on the future implications for the sergeant rank, Ms Monkhouse warned that older officers – and older women in particular – could find themselves at a disadvantage, and suffering financially as a result of annual fitness testing.
She highlighted that those failing the shuttle run, or who could not take the test, for any reason could be hit with a wage cut.
As well as being concerned about the costs of the regime outweighing the benefits, Ms Monkhouse was concerned that the measures would be used as a means of ejecting officers from the police service “before they become old and disabled”.
She argued that not all policing roles called for the same degree of physical fitness, pointing out that pay reviewer Tom Winsor had not stated why he felt annual testing was necessary,
Ms Monkhouse told conference delegates: “The tests will have a disproportionate effect on older people and women – and particularly older women officers.
“The Winsor recommendations are designed to make the (Police Service) act more like the Army – and sergeants will be at the forefront of ensuring this happens.”
However, during a subsequent debate Sir Hugh Orde, President of the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) said that officers needed to maintain physical fitness.
But Sir Hugh emphasised that chief constables also had a moral obligation to their personnel, particularly those who found themselves injured and on restricted duties.
College of Policing Chief Executive Alex Marshall, who introduced annual fitness tests for his officers while he was Hampshire Constabulary chief some years ago, highlighted that very few people had failed and that the move was ultimately welcomed.

But he said that the College had to examine the implementation of a national scheme.

 Article courtesy of www.policeoracle.com 

I would point out that my former Force of Devon & Cornwall has always placed a great deal of emphasis on personal fitness, albeit not by compulsion. The Force Training College employed a full time highly qualified physical education instructor from as far back as the early 1980's. We also had a full time force Medical Officer in our Occupational Health Department. Together they would formulate personal fitness plans for officers and civilian support staff for whom it was considered necessary.  

Those presenting themselves at promotion interview boards were expected to demonstrate a superior level of personal fitness. Continuation training courses also included opportunities for exercise in the College swimming pool,  sports hall and sports field. It appeared to have many benefits both for the individual and the Force. 

The compulsion element recommended by the Winsor Report could have a detrimental effect; as I believe the important motivation for officers to undertake a personal fitness training regime is best served when they themselves perceive it is in their own best interests to maintain a high level of physical fitness and healthy lifestyle choices, to best serve their career. Especially for the majority of officers serving operationally on the thin blue front line. 

 Incidentally, I still attend a gym on a regular basis as a septuagenarian and certainly appreciate its benefits only too well if I have cause for any reason to miss it for a week or two ! 

Don't Mess with the Best because the Best Don't Mess!

The Scales of
Justice

 If  you ever testify in court, you might wish you could have  been as sharp as this British policeman. He was being cross-examined  by a defence solicitor during an indictable offence  trial. The lawyer was  trying to undermine the police officer's credibility  ..... 

Q:  'Officer --- did you see my client fleeing the scene?'
A:  'No sir. But I subsequently observed a person matching the description of the offender, running several   blocks  away.'
Q:  'Officer -- who provided this description?'
A:  'The officer who responded to the scene.'
Q:  'A fellow officer provided the description of this so-called  offender. Do you trust your fellow officers?'
A:  'Yes, sir. With my life.'
Q:  'With your life? Let me ask you this then officer. Do you  have a room where you change your clothes in preparation for  your daily duties?'
A:  'Yes sir, we do!'
Q:  'And do you have a locker in the room?'
A:  'Yes, sir, ... I do.'
Q:  'And do you have a lock on your locker?'
A: 'Yes,  sir.'
Q:  'Now, ... Why is it, officer, if you trust your fellow  officers with your life, you find it necessary to lock your  locker in a room you share with these same officers?'
A:  'You see, sir -- we share the building with the court  complex, and sometimes lawyers have been known   to walk  through that room.'
 

The courtroom EXPLODED with  laughter, and a prompt recess was called. The officer on the  stand has been nominated for this year's 'Best Comeback'  line -- and I think he'll  win.

     

HOW DO COURT RECORDERS KEEP STRAIGHT FACES?

These are from a book called Disorder in the American Courts and are things people allegedly said in court, word for word, taken down and published by court reporters that had the torment of staying calm while the exchanges were taking place.

ATTORNEY: What was the first thing your husband said to you that morning?
WITNESS: He said, 'Where am I, Cathy?'
ATTORNEY: And why did that upset you?
WITNESS: My name is Susan!
_______________________________
ATTORNEY: What gear were you in at the moment of the impact?
WITNESS: Gucci sweats and Reeboks.
____________________________________________
ATTORNEY: Are you sexually active?
WITNESS: No, I just lie there.
____________________________________________
ATTORNEY: What is your date of birth?
WITNESS: July 18th.
ATTORNEY: What year?
WITNESS: Every year.
_____________________________________
ATTORNEY: How old is your son, the one living with you?
WITNESS: Thirty-eight or thirty-five, I can't remember which.
ATTORNEY: How long has he lived with you?
WITNESS: Forty-five years.
_________________________________
ATTORNEY: This myasthenia gravis, does it affect your memory at all?
WITNESS: Yes.
ATTORNEY: And in what ways does it affect your memory?
WITNESS: I forget..
ATTORNEY: You forget? Can you give us an example of something you forgot?
___________________________________________
ATTORNEY: Now doctor, isn't it true that when a person dies in his sleep, he doesn't know about it until the next morning?
WITNESS: Did you actually pass the bar exam?
____________________________________
ATTORNEY: The youngest son, the 20-year-old, how old is he?
WITNESS: He's 20, much like your IQ.
___________________________________________
ATTORNEY: Were you present when your picture was taken?
WITNESS: Are you shitting me?
_________________________________________
ATTORNEY: So the date of conception (of the baby) was August 8th?
WITNESS: Yes.
ATTORNEY: And what were you doing at that time?
WITNESS: Getting laid
____________________________________________
ATTORNEY: She had three children , right?
WITNESS: Yes.
ATTORNEY: How many were boys?
WITNESS: None.
ATTORNEY: Were there any girls?
WITNESS: Your Honor, I think I need a different attorney. Can I get a new attorney?
____________________________________________
ATTORNEY: How was your first marriage terminated?
WITNESS: By death..
ATTORNEY: And by whose death was it terminated?
WITNESS: Take a guess.
___________________________________________
ATTORNEY: Can you describe the individual?
WITNESS: He was about medium height and had a beard
ATTORNEY: Was this a male or a female?
WITNESS: Unless the Circus was in town I'm going with male.
_____________________________________
ATTORNEY: Is your appearance here this morning pursuant to a deposition notice which I sent to your attorney?
WITNESS: No, this is how I dress when I go to work.
______________________________________
ATTORNEY: Doctor , how many of your autopsies have you performed on dead people?
WITNESS: All of them. The live ones put up too much of a fight.
_________________________________________
ATTORNEY: ALL your responses MUST be oral, OK? What school did you go to?
WITNESS: Oral...
_________________________________________
ATTORNEY: Do you recall the time that you examined the body?
WITNESS: The autopsy started around 8:30 PM
ATTORNEY: And Mr. Denton was dead at the time?
WITNESS: If not, he was by the time I finished.

ATTORNEY: Are you qualified to give a urine sample?

WITNESS: Are you qualified to ask that question?
___________________________________________
ATTORNEY: Doctor, before you performed the autopsy, did you check for a pulse?
WITNESS: No.
ATTORNEY: Did you check for blood pressure?
WITNESS: No.
ATTORNEY: Did you check for breathing?
WITNESS: No..
ATTORNEY: So, then it is possible that the patient was alive when you began the autopsy?
WITNESS: No.
ATTORNEY: How can you be so sure, Doctor?
WITNESS: Because his brain was sitting on my desk in a jar.
ATTORNEY: I see, but could the patient have still been alive, nevertheless?
WITNESS: Yes, it is possible that he could have been alive and practicing law.

Congratulations to HRH Catherine & HRH Prince William on the birth of their son

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have a son.

Kate gave birth to their baby boy at 4.24pm today at the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital in Paddington.

The news was announced by Kensington Palace in a statement which read:

"Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge was safely delivered of a son at 4.24pm.

"The baby weighs 8lbs 6oz.

"The Duke of Cambridge was present for the birth.

"The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Harry and members of both families have been informed and are delighted with the news.

Her Royal Highness and her child are both doing well and will remain in hospital overnight."

Ed Perkins, Press Secretary to Prince William, emerged from the Lindo wing a few minutes later with a wry smile on his face and a document in hand.

He passed it through the window of a blue Jaguar car.

That notice giving details about the baby - the third-in-line to the throne after Prince Charles and Prince William - left was taken by car to Buckingham Palace.

It has been signed by the Queen's former gynaecologist Marcus Setchell, who led the medical team that delivered Kate's baby.

The notice was placed on a gold-covered easel in the palace's forecourt, a traditional element of theatre last used 31 years ago for the announcement of William's birth on June 21, 1982.

Five Rules for Men to Follow !!!!



Police detain phone smuggling cat

A criminal cat has been detained by police after it was caught attempting to smuggle mobile phones and chargers into a Russian prison.

With a cat’s natural athleticism and the agility needed to scale prison walls, picking an easily tuned feline seemed like an inspired choice to carry out the illegal operation.

The plot was foiled however, when prison officials spotted the items taped onto the black and white cat’s belly as it sat perched on top of a fence.

The prison service said the animal was detained on Friday at the prison near the city of Syktyvkar in the Komi province, around 600 miles north-east of Moscow.

‘They have foiled various attempts to smuggle banned objects into Prison Colony Number One before,’ said a spokesman for the regional prison service.

‘But in the case of the cat, the prison colony is at a loss: nothing like this has happened in the prison’s history.’

Despite being caught in the act, it’s likely this particular feline will avoid a lengthy spell behind bars!

Online Comments so far:-

I have heard of cat burglargies, but of cat's smugglings that a new one on me. I wonder who trained the cat to carry out this chore and how it knew to climb up that particular prison wall?

Still it all turned to be a CATastrophy. Paws for thought, just a whisker away from getting away with it!

Article Courtesy of Metro and www.policeoracle.com

Drummer Lee Rigby - A Fallen Valiant Soldier

Drummer Lee Rigby, 25, from the 2nd Battalion, Royal Regiment of Fusiliers

Our Prime Minister, The Rt. Hon. David Cameron, MP, speaking in Downing Street on Thursday morning,  said there was "absolutely no justification" for the callous execution of this young off-duty soldier on the streets of London, which is believed to have been carried out by Islamist extremists.

"What happened yesterday in Woolwich has sickened us all. On our televisions last night and in our newspapers this morning we have all seen images that are deeply shocking. The people who did this were trying to divide us. They should know something like this will only bring us together and make us stronger," he said.

US President Barack Obama condemned the "horrific" attack and promised to "stand resolute" with the UK in the face of terrorism.

In a statement, the President said: "I condemn in the strongest terms the appalling attack against a British service member in Woolwich on 22 May. The United States stands resolute with the United Kingdom, our ally and friend, against violent extremism and terror.

"There can be absolutely no justification for such acts, and our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the victim, the police and security services responding to this horrific act and the communities they serve, and the British people."

Police Separate Star Wars & Dr. Who Fans

Organisers call on the force to deal with the dark side of a sci-fi convention!

Police had to be called in to separate rival Star Wars and Dr Who fans at a sci-fi convention in Norwich.

Trouble flared at the fourth Norwich Sci-Fi and Film Convention at the University of East Anglia, organised by the Norwich Star Wars Club.

Police were called after members of the rival Norwich Sci-Fi club arrived to get autographs from two Doctor Who actors at the event.

More than a dozen sci-fi fans from both groups, including several in fancy dress, were involved in a bitter exchange outside the venue at the University of East Anglia.

Jim Poole, Treasurer of Norwich Sci Fi Club, was asked to leave as he approached Doctor Who actor Graham Cole for an autograph.

That provoked a tense stand-off between Mr Poole and the event organiser Richard Walker (63) who then took their dispute outside.

Mr Walker said the visiting club had been trying to undermine and embarrass the convention by posting comments on social media sites such as Facebook.

But Mr Poole said he had attended "in good faith" to collect autographs from two actors for a Doctor Who signature diary to be auctioned for charity.

After police were called by Mr Poole, he was asked to sit in the back of a police car while officers spoke to those involved.

A police spokesman added: "The two rival groups were spoken to and advised to keep out of each other's way."

Article courtesy of Ananova and www.policeoracle.com

Force makes new acquisition - days after showing off new Lamborghini

                                          Courtesy of   www.policeoracle.com

Trying to out-run Dubai police in a car chase just got even harder after they added a Ferrari to their expensive fleet.

The force’s latest sports car – believed to cost between £228,000 and £415,000 - comes hot on the heels of a Lamborghini Aventador, which was unveiled earlier this month.

‘Dubai is a unique city and everything in it should reflect its uniqueness and for that reason police will add a Ferrari sports car to its patrol fleet,’ said Dubai’s police chief Lieut Genl Dhahi Khalfan Tamim.

‘We have been pleasantly surprised by the reaction of people to the Lamborghini, so we said a Ferrari would be a good choice too,’ he told GulfBusiness.com.

The latest addition to the flashy squad was unveiled at the foot of the Burj Khalifa – the world’s tallest building.

The Ferrari FV boasts a V12 engine, which can reach top speeds of 208mph, and is capable of going from 0 to 60mph in just 3.7 seconds.

The Italian-made Ferrari has already been emblazoned with the police force’s distinctive green and white colours.

Police hope the sportscars will be a deterrent for owners of high-powered vehicles thinking of breaking the speed limit.

But the Ferrari may also be used by female police officers to patrol tourist hotspots.

Dubai police force’s fleet also includes a Chevrolet Camaro SS, a Dodge Charger and a BMW 5-Series.

FOOTNOTE COMMENTS:
Anonymous - Wed, 01 May 2013
I bet they do not pay £1.37 A LITRE to fill up their cars either!

Anonymous - Wed, 01 May 2013
Wait till Winsor gets his teeth into the Dubai force! They'll be back to camels!

Anonymous - Wed, 01 May 2013
& we are getting electric vehicles in my force in this age of austerity!

Anonymous - 13 hours ago
If its anything like where I worked, it'll be:
1. Inspectors toy!
2. Sergeants toy!

Police Body Worn Video Experiment

Article Courtesy of - Jasmin McDermott - www.PoliceOracle.com

A project exploring the operational benefits of Body Worn Video (BWV) in freeing up officer time and cutting bureaucracy could instigate changes to parts of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE).

Operation Hyperion is a year-long study assessing the effects and implications of the personal issue of BWV to 183 officers and PCSOs in Hampshire Constabulary up to inspector rank. One camera will be assigned to a specific officer or PCSO for the duration of the project, which will conclude in March 2014.

The project, which is the first of its kind in the country on this scale, will consider the impact BWV has on police complaints, its usefulness in the conclusion of certain crime incidents and implications on the wider criminal justice system.

Researchers from the University of Portsmouth’s Institute of Criminal Justice Studies will independently evaluate the pilot during the year, including how the issuing of the devices has been implemented by the Force and officers’ understanding of the equipment.
Insp Steve Goodier, who is leading the project on the Isle of Wight, believes the evidence, which will be presented to national agencies including the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and the College of Policing, could facilitate a wide-ranging change in how statements are taken under PACE.

In an interview with PoliceOracle.com he said: “I strongly believe we could make some small changes to legislation that can have a big impact on officers.

“PACE (Police & Criminal Evidence Act) was written in 1984 at a time when BWV was not around. Under PACE the interview suspects outside of custody on a voluntary basis must be held contemporaneously with the interviewee, which includes a full question-and-answer session and this has to be recorded by the officer in a written format and then signed by the interviewee as a true and accurate record.

“According to the true letter of the law, BWV cannot be used to record the interview so even if officers are wearing it they still need to write the statement which is a laborious and time consuming process.

“We want to look at ways we can use BWV to capture first accounts from people and not take written statements. If we can do this it will free up a lot of time.

“We want to get the legislation changed so that BWV could replace the need for hand written statements from officers when it is likely that an early guilty plea would be entered at court or that the incident could be dealt with a caution or community resolution."

It is hoped the results from the project, which costs £47,500, will form a strong evidence base on the plethora of benefits the devices offer and prove they can contribute significantly to operational policing.

“We want to prove the use of BWV is a viable and cost-effective way of delivering modern policing,” Insp Goodier added.

“We can justify the cost of a camera very quickly in reducing bureaucracy and freeing up police time.”

www.PoliceOracle.com will be reporting on the results of the project when they are available next year and I will update this blog accordingly.

Compensation Claim PC 'Should Not Be Vilified' says Police Federation



The Chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales has spoken out against the “vilification” of an officer who considered launching a compensation claim against a victim of crime after tripping over a kerb while responding to a burglary call.

In a statement, Steve Williams (pictured) said that the action – launched by Norfolk PC Kelly Jones – had “understandably caused widespread debate”. He also pointed out that it had impacted on the wider reputation of the Police Service, and that the staff association needed to examine how it provided advice to members.

The Chairman’s comments came as Norfolk Police and Crime Commissioner Stephen Bett said that the news of the claim – which relates to a call to a garage in Thetford – had “left him cold”. He said the officer had gone “a step too far” and urged her to immediately reverse her action.

"I will be seeking a full report into the circumstances from the chief constable and I expect to be having a conversation with the Norfolk Police Federation,” he added.

But Mr Williams stressed that officers were not compensated by their forces for injuries received on duty – and that the wider public needed to understand that they could lose money through reductions in pay and allowances.

Injury could also affect promotion prospects and opportunities for specialisation.

Mr Williams said: “Let me be clear – to vilify this female officer is wrong.

“She took legal advice as to how she could claim back some of her lost earnings as a result of the injury, and at this stage no formal proceedings have taken place.

“She has been supported by my own organisation, the Police Federation, who have agreed to fund her on a conditional fee basis should the matter progress.”

Mr Williams said that the Fed needed to look at “processes and structures” on how it provided advice, claiming that PC Jones had not been prepared for the “wider personal impact” that could arise from her making a compensation claim.

The Chairman added: “The Police Federation’s structure is being independently reviewed and no doubt how we continue to provide advice in the round for our members will be examined as a result of this unusual case.

“I must underline that our local Federation representative in Norfolk worked tirelessly under the spotlight of the national and local media, advising and assisting PC Jones in every way that he could. However, it will be clear to all that this very quickly became a national policing issue beyond the local remit.

“While PC Jones may be an easy target as she is one individual within a media storm, for me it is the Police Federation that needs to be mindful of the widespread public and member perception that has arisen out of this claim.”

But the Police and Crime Commissioner said that the action had led to public anger. Mr Bett said: "As the public representative for policing in Norfolk, I share the concerns of those who have questioned the actions of this officer

"I believe she should withdraw her legal action as soon as possible. In my mind, that would be the right thing to do and, judging from what people have been telling me, what the public would want to see.”

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

Wishing A Happy Easter to all my Family & Friends

God Bless You at Easter

May the message of Easter bring you hope and joy

Wishing You Happiness and Peace

and some warm sunshine too !!!!

A Humorous Definition of Disappointment

The 6th grade science teacher, Mrs. Parks, asked her class,

'Which human body part increases to ten times its size when stimulated?'

No one answered until little Mary stood up and said,

'You should not be asking sixth graders a question like that! I'm going
to tell my parents, and they will go and tell the Principal, who will then fire you!'

Mrs. Parks ignored her and asked the question again,
'Which body part increases to 10 times its size when stimulated?'

Little Mary's mouth fell open. Then she said to those around her,
'Boy, is she going to get in big trouble!'

The teacher continued to ignore her and said to the class,

'Anybody?'

Finally,Billy stood up, looked around nervously, and said,

'The body part that increases 10 times its size when stimulated is the pupil of the eye.'

Mrs. Parks said, 'Very good, Billy,'then turned to Mary and continued.
'As for you, young lady, I have three things to say:

One, you have a dirty mind.

Two, you didn't read your homework.

And three, one day you are going to be very, VERY disappointed.'

A Sad Day For Free Speech Within The Police Service

I am very grateful to Steve Bennett of The Thin Blue Line blog for his excellent posting on the forced closing down of Inspector Gadget's Blog. I thoroughly recommend you read his superb article to which I have full empathy. Steve is a retired West Midlands Police Officer and his sentiments are echoed by me in every respect. I only wish I could articulate and compose my views in a similarly pragmatic format. Well said Steve and I too am saddened by the demise of Inspector Gadget. With the Government imposing legislation to protect whistle blowers in the NHS in order to provide improvements in service delivery and operational  transparency; it beggars belief that the same does not apply within the police service. Here is the link to Steve's brilliant posting.  

http://thinbluelineuk.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/inspector-gadget-officer-down_15.html

Police Officers Queuing For Voluntary Severance

Hundreds of rank-and file-officers are considering voluntary severance in the wake of the Winsor reforms to pay and conditions, research has revealed.

A pilot study with Avon and Somerset Constabulary has focused on the impact that government reforms are having on areas such as pensions, retirement, redundancy, fitness testing, direct entry and educational requirements.

The survey of 1,400 officers from PC to chief inspector revealed that half were considering alternative employment with more than 400 pondering voluntary severance. 

The research, by the University of the West of England led by Dr James Hoggett, highlighted that almost all of the respondents had no confidence in the long-term government plans and 95 per cent were strongly dissatisfied with the Winsor reviews

The study, commissioned by the Constables Central Committee (CCC) of the Police Federation of England and Wales, stated that officers are not against the need for reform in the service. However, they felt changes should be made in partnership with the police and be independent of politics.

It also identified that morale is low at an individual and organisational level. This was highlighted in a separate survey of officers last November – the results of which will inform Lord Stevens’ Independent Commission on the Future of Policing.

The pilot will be rolled out to the other 42 forces in England and Wales in the form of a survey with 108 questions. This will be sent to all federated members through their police email addresses this Friday (March 1).

Dr Hoggett, a lecturer and criminologist, told PoliceOracle.com that he hoped the research would make the government understand some of the “severe implications” of recent cuts and provide a useful guide for ministers.

He added: “This research provides a secure and validated evidence base to put forward the views of officers and catalogue their issues, which includes the Winsor reforms.

“This can be something that the Police Federation can use to try and negotiate with the government about the issues officers face.

“We have heard a lot from ACPO and the Superintendents’ Association about their response to the changes but not from the rank-and-file officers who are being directly affected by the changes.”

He suggested that the goodwill of officers is being eroded and they are now less inclined to make sacrifices. This would ultimately alter the relationship between police and the public.

Dr Hoggett added: “I was quite surprised that there was such a significant level of agreement in what officers’ concerns were – which focused on their lack of belief in the government’s long-term plans.

“What is frightening for me is the number of officers considering voluntary severance because this throws into question the future of the Police Service with vital skills and experience missing.”

Chairman of the Police Federation for England and Wales Steve Williams said he was not surprised at the results. He added that the report could be presented to the Joint Central Committee to inform their work strategically.

Article courtesy of Jasmin McDermott  www.policeoracle.com 

Name of Beatles frontman becomes synonymous with South American crimewave

Police in a Brazilian city say they have arrested three John Lennons in the last month - and a fourth landed in the city morgue.

The Beatles were massive in Brazil - with Lennon the most popular - and thousands of women named their sons after him.

The John Lennon crimewave was reported in the city of Belo Horizonte, capital of Minas Gerais state, reports the Brazil Dispatch.

The most recent arrest came when John Lennon Ribeiro Siqueira (19) was arrested for attempting to rob a lottery agency.

Last month, John Lennon Fonseca Ferreira (22) was arrested during an attempted robbery at a home in Belo Horizonte.

Before that, police arrested John Lenon Camargos Gomes (22) who they say committed five homicides in the city.

They believe the suspect, a convicted drug trafficker, was also responsible for two attempted murders.

The body of John Lennon Sebastiao da Silva (18) turned up dead in the back seat of a car parked in Belo Horizonte in January. Police suspect it was a revenge killing.

Not every John Lennon in Brazil turned out bad. John Lennon Silva Santos (22) plays defense for one of Rio de Janeiro's most popular football teams, Botafogo.

Article Courtesy of - Ananova and www.policeoracle.com

New Police Memorial Unveiled

A new force memorial to police officers who have died since 1822, has been unveiled.

West Midlands Police officially revealed the new roll of honour on January 31in the reception of its HQ in Birmingham.

For the first time it brings together all the names of 89 officers who have died on duty in the region since 1822 – the year when the first death on duty of an officer happened.

All the officers have had their names, age and date of their death placed on the memorial. It also includes those who have died through accidents or have been killed in road collisions.

The first officer to die on duty in the region in 1822 was Wolverhampton night watchman Richard Cooke. He was fatally hit on the head by a stone while intervening in a street affray.

Also mentioned are the 32 serving officers who lost their lives in World War Two, including 16 Coventry officers, eight of whom died during an air raid on the city in November 1940. Sixteen Birmingham officers who died during the war are also commemorated.

“Up until now, there has not been a tribute of this kind to honour and remember all the officers who have given their lives while serving West Midlands Police and its former constituent forces so we have worked closely with the force to put this right,” said Chairman of West Midlands Police Federation Ian Edwards.

“These officers have given their lives while serving their communities, fighting and preventing crime, keeping the peace and protecting the vulnerable. This roll of honour will be a permanent reminder of the debt of gratitude we all owe to them.”

A roll of honour which commemorates those officers who died during the two world wars will remain in its current location at Lloyd House.

Chief Constable Chris Sims said: “Although there are a number of local tributes across the force area in memory of officers who have lost their lives while on duty, this is the first time that a force memorial has been erected which brings together the names of all the officers.

“We are proud of these officers and it is right they should be remembered.”

DS Steph Bradley, whose brother PC Ryan Hunt died aged 31 in May 2006 in a traffic collision - while working on an investigation in South Yorkshire - said: “This memorial will be a fitting and lasting tribute to every one of those officers who made the ultimate sacrifice. It will be a great honour to represent the families.”

NB. Article courtesy of - Nic Brunetti - Police Oracle. www.policeoracle.com

Apologies For Absence

Please accept my apologies for not posting on my blog for several weeks. Seven weeks ago I slipped and fell on ice which resulted in an injury to my left shoulder necessitating physiotherapy. I am recovering very slowly but using the keyboard on my computer has proven very difficult; hence my lack of postings.

In addition, I have suffered the recent loss of a longstanding dear friend of mine who passed away suddenly causing me considerable shock. I am gradually returning to my former self and trust my regular readers will bear with me in the meantime. I am particularly grateful to Annete for her concern and good wishes. Normal service will be resumed as soon as possible !!!!!