Wednesday 10 April 2013

Modern Day Policing In A Nutshell

“Someone stole your phone? You know where it is? Meh…. Too busy”
An RAF navigator who was taken hostage during the Gulf War has criticised police for failing to confront a mobile phone thief — despite being told of its exact location.
Mr Nichol, 48, told LBC that tracking software revealed its location in south London, but said: “The police can’t ask, ‘Have you mistakenly got this mobile phone?’ because they are too busy.”
“Someone was mean or rude on the Internet? Someone employed by a political oversight posting we didn’t want? We’ll be right there!”
Social media messages written by Britain's first youth crime commissioner are being investigated by police, following complaints from the public.
Kent Police officers are to decide whether Paris Brown, 17, has committed any offences in writing allegedly violent, racist and anti-gay comments on her Twitter feed.
Meanwhile, the car crash that is Ann Barnes is still rolling off the motorway, spraying bits of flaming metal and bodywork in all directions:
Mrs Barnes, 67, who is paying £5,000 of Miss Brown's salary from her own pay, said she did not condone the nature of the tweets but asked for some perspective due to Miss Brown's age.
She said the teenager was one of 164 applicants for the job, intended to provide young people's views on policing, and she was the best one and a "confident and articulate woman".
But she told BBC News that the teenager's Twitter account had not been vetted when they offered her the job.
D'oh!!!
"We went through a perfectly normal recruitment process and we had her vetted by the force," she said.
By the force, eh? Hmmm...
A Kent Police spokeswoman said: "Kent Police undertakes varying levels of vetting and higher levels of vetting can include checks on a social media account."
But didn't in this case? How very unfortunate for the hapless Barnes. And how very gratifying for a police force vehemently opposed to such a political imposition...
"Nobody normally looks through anybody's Twitter feed - perhaps that's a lesson for the future. We are living in a different world now."
Yes, we are. One, I suspect, you aren't equipped to play in.

9 comments:

Blue Eyes said...

They are jokers.

I worked with one of the vetting people at the Yard. Wind-down windows on submarines were more effective at keeping the wrong stuff out.

Anonymous said...

I thought this story would pop up on here Julia,Melvin will be rubbing his hands with glee.
If the story is 100% correct then I can't defend our actions.Two things spring to mind though.Firstly the tracker might have directed the owner to a block of flats,not an individual address.We have no power to search 20 flats on the off-chance of finding a stolen phone.I'm only guessing.
Secondly-what I would have done as the victim and not a PC is go the exact address and knock on the door.THEN call the police and say that there is a disturbance then we would have to attend.Not ideal but practical.He is ex-services after all, not a blushing flower.

You linked these two stories as if we are too busy to investigate the phone theft because a chav put some rubbish in twitter and that's more important.Two different forces,not even close.The bottom line is that some sad loser has complained about her so we have to investigate.It's an open goal really.
Reading the lefty papers some of them have said the police have set her up to discredit the PCC idea.I am just enjoying watching the car crash of this stupid idea.
Jaded.
I was going to mention about my gas bill being in my wifes name but it didn't seem relevant.

Ranter said...

I see Ann Barnes is advertising a 'Chief of Staff' position at circa £90K per annum (no doubt plus all the usual benefits). She has a salary of £85K. I'm puzzled by that in itself. Currently she also has a couple of PAs, 4 researchers and a few other 'back office' staff - all on salaries, allowances, pensions etc. What 'back office staff+accommodation+transport+expenses will the new chief of staff recruit. It is Corporate Darwinism in action - the superfluous and utterly pointless position of PC&C is now evolving to survive. Why does this dozy bint want all these staff - she has the entire Kent Police organization to support her and to question and to use. It's doing my frigging head. I've had enough and I just can't take anymore!

Blue Eyes said...

"The bottom line is that some sad loser has complained"

But someone also complained about a stolen mobile phone (a crime) and presented some pretty useful evidence and *still* the police refused to take an interest.

My theory: there are far too many people sitting in offices investigating twitter "hate" crime and too few out and about investigating other stuff.

The PCC idea is supposed to solve this problem by giving some democratic feedback to the system.

Woman on a Raft said...

Thanks for the link.

Anonymous said...

I was describing the twitter complainant as a loser,not the phone theft victim.Let's get that clear before my words get twisted.
Jaded

Anonymous said...

More Tax Generosity: Hello, police. I would like to report a lawn mower stolen from my property.

WPC Jilted: y as you diddled us off 15p an wrung de cheeper line an not 101

More Tax Generosity: I rang the STD number to save time and unnecessary expense. I would like to proceed without delay, if you don't mind.

WPC Jilted: so you dus not support police then innit

More Tax Generosity: I fail to see how you can reach such a conclusion. When can I expect service?

WPC Jilted: all in gud time bruv all in gud time cos furst i as too do a points score innit now is you black

More Tax Generosity: This is ridiculous. How can my colour be relevant?

WPC Jilted: i is askin de stuff ear

More Tax Generosity: Ok, I am white.

WPC Jilted: an is you gay or lesbbi

More Tax Generosity: No I am heterosexual.

WPC Jilted: wot is that now don't you think off gettin clever mate

More Tax Generosity: I am normal.

WPC Jilted: that is betta now is you tranz..tranzzex...tranesssex

More Tax Generosity: Transsexual?

WPC Jilted: thats it so you is a tranny then

More Tax Generosity: No I said I was normal.

WPC Jilted: soz mate you as jus scored nuffin oh wate is you a druid cos hour hinspector his a druid

More Tax Generosity: No, I am not a Druid. What do you mean when you say I have scored nothing?

WPC Jilted: you is not gettin a vizit innit

More Tax Generosity: Well, I know the thief's name and the present location of the machine, if that helps.

WPC Jilted: we is to busy to bovva but cud you give im a cortion from me cos it elps our clearups mate heh

Anonymous said...

Step away from the laptop and give it back to the nurse Melvin.
Still angry about your lawnmower? Perhaps someone should invent an app to find stolen garden equipment.
Anyway make room on here as the other nutter is due soon,she must have got an electric bill today.
Jaded

JuliaM said...

"I worked with one of the vetting people at the Yard. Wind-down windows on submarines were more effective at keeping the wrong stuff out."

So, not bright enough to carry out a successful stitch-up? ;)

"You linked these two stories as if we are too busy to investigate the phone theft because a chav put some rubbish in twitter and that's more important.Two different forces,not even close."

It speaks to the priorities of the police force as a whole. And the absurdities of what is considered 'crime' these days.

"The PCC idea is supposed to solve this problem by giving some democratic feedback to the system."

I was generally in favour of it - having seen some of the winning candidates, I think I'll revise that opinion!