Tuesday 15 October 2013

A Day In The Life...

Three police officers whose "honesty and integrity" have been questioned by the police watchdog will not face disciplinary action over allegations that they lied to try and discredit Andrew Mitchell at the height of the plebgate affair.
So reports the Guardian. It was pretty clear at the time that the policeman's account was somewhat inconsistent, not that means anyone will be disciplined. Interestingly though the former Tory whip states:
"It is a decision which will undermine confidence in the ability of the police to investigate misconduct when the reputation of the police service as a whole is at stake.
Well yes but it's hardly anything new, but the only reason it makes the news in this instance is precisely for the reason he is a former Tory whip. Mitchell continues:
"My family and I have waited nearly a year for these police officers to be held to account and for an apology from the police forces involved. It seems we have waited in vain."
At this point one might consider that those of Liverpool have waited nearly 25 years for police officers to be held to account in one of the biggest police corruption scandals in UK history. A cover up that went right to the top of the political tree and remained so for years. Mr Mitchell's concerns are not police corruption per se but those that affect him directly

As someone who has been stopped and searched under a Section 60 (a policy introduced incidentally by the Tories) more than once and had £20 notes ‘confiscated’ from my wallet because “they could potentially be used as weapons” the disclosure that policemen have; “honesty and integrity” issues comes as no surprise whatsoever.

2 comments:

  1. "As someone who has been stopped and searched under a Section 60 (a policy introduced incidentally by the Tories) more than once and had £20 notes ‘confiscated’ from my wallet because “they could potentially be used as weapons” the disclosure that policemen have; “honesty and integrity” issues comes as no surprise whatsoever."

    This is not new TBF either...

    There is an old Victorian music hall song...

    "ASK A POLICEMAN.
    Copyright, 1889, by Harding Bros.
    Composed by A. E. Durandeau. Sung by Joe. O'Connor.

    The police force is a noble band, that safely guard our streets.
    Their valor is unquestion'd, and they're monarchs on their "beats;"
    If anything you wish to know, they'll tell you with a grin,
    In fact, each one of them is a complete "inquire within."

    Chorus.
    If you want to know the time, ask a policeman.
    The proper city time, ask a policeman,
    Every member of the force has a watch and chain, of course,
    How he got it, from what source? ask a policeman.

    And if you stay out late at night and visit regions queer.
    Thanks to those noble guardians, of danger you've no fear;
    If beer you want, and stores are closed, go to the man in blue.
    He'll show you where the side door is, and tell you what to do.

    Chorus.
    If you want to get a drink, ask a policeman,
    He'll manage it, I think, will a policeman,
    He'll find out the secret way, where you can, both night and day,
    Get a cocktail right away, can a policeman.

    And if your hired girl suddenly should leave her cozy place,
    Don't publish an advertisement, her whereabouts to trace;
    No matter what the neighbors say, if you wish her to trace.
    Go ask the fellow dressed in blue, he'll soon find out the place.

    Chorus.
    If you don't know where she's gone, ask a policeman,
    Or where from you she's run. ask a policeman.
    He may say some dude did try to make her from home fly.
    You'll know better bye and bye from that policeman.

    And if you're getting very stout, wish to be trim and nice,
    No need a doctor to call in, you just take my advice;
    Go in for running all you can, both morning, noon and night.
    And if you want a pattern, watch a policeman in a fight,

    Chorus.
    If you want to learn to run, ask a policeman,
    When a battle has begun, watch a policeman,
    Round the corner he will go, swift as arrow from a bow.
    He don't care to meet the foe, does a policeman.

    Or if you're called away from home, and leave your wife behind.
    You think, oh, would that I a friend to guard the house could find;
    And keep my love in safety, but let all your troubles cease,
    You'll find the wished for safeguard in our honest, good police.

    Chorus. '.
    If your wife requires a friend, ask a policeman,
    Who to her wants will attend, ask a policeman,
    Or if manliness you'd trace, on a guileless honest face,
    To take care of wife and place, get a policeman."

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