I would normally stand with our police, but they've made it almost impossible
Does your heart bleed for our poor put-upon police, as they warn that their service is in 'crisis'? Or hearing of their plight, do you feel like giving them a shake?
In a slight variation on the annual moan-fest that is the Police Federation conference, senior representatives of the service have penned a joint article listing their many woes. With dismal absence of originality, they complain of 'crushed' morale and thinning blue lines, as underpaid, overworked officers jack it all for early retirement to the Costas. As the Spending Review looms, behold the usual desperate attempt to guilt trip ministers into ponying up more cash.
Those of us who grew up with kindly constables coming to school to talk about 'stranger danger' and the Green Cross Code yearn for the heroes of our youth. They were the human barrier between good and evil, fighting the good fight against robbers and child snatchers. How we used to look up to them and take comfort from their solid, reassuring presence on our streets. Wouldn't it be nice to experience such pure, uncomplicated feelings of admiration about the police today?
The trouble is they just keep letting us down, behaving in ways that are spineless and foolish, and going after all the wrong people in all wrong ways. Modern training appears to prohibit any exercise of discretion or common sense, in favour of moronic tick box responses and rainbow coloured cars.
I am reminded of this every Friday morning, when swarms of officers descend on the Embankment in central London in search of the odd trucker who might not have the right paperwork. With the luxury of crime free streets and unlimited resources this dreary weekly exercise might be worthwhile, but as dope heads, muggers and petty thieves do their worst all around, it is a very curious priority.
Of course there are still good guys who are horrified by the systematic misallocation of resources. They cringe at the pursuit of totally inconsequential 'hate crimes' and even more ridiculous 'non hate crime incidents'. Still valiantly trying to catch real criminals, they were appalled by the diminishment of their roles during the pandemic, when they were forced to police petty lockdown breaches. Old pros have no difficulty understanding that flimsy complaints about unpleasant Tweets rarely require a siren-wailing response, and that having black or brown skin should never provide an exemption from the law.
Tragically, these stalwarts can no longer rely on either the support or sound judgement of their bosses, who have a nasty habit of punishing bravery and initiative. Just ask poor Stg Martyn Blake, who put his life on the line in pursuit of a man with previous convictions and gangland associations – and found himself charged with murder. Having been cleared by the courts, he now faces an investigation for 'gross misconduct.' Then there's PC Lorne Castle, sacked by Dorset Police for failing to treat a knife-wielding teenager with sufficient 'respect.' The way these decent officers and others are make split second decisions in life threatening situations are treated beggars belief.
Then again, some plods deserve everything they get. Witness the grotesque cowardice of the officers who allegedly tasered a confused one-legged nonagenarian after he refused orders to put down a butter knife. In that single inexplicable act, these cruel clowns brought their entire profession into disrepute.
Remember all this, as they beg the Government for bigger budgets. Sorry, but I'm struggling to find my violin.
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