Things I Hate - A Comedic Rantesse

[Allan Carr]

It's not just recently either that some police officers have been nasty. When I was at uni back in the 60's, i did a vac job at Kodak's research labs in Harrow I went divng whilst ther with London No.1 Branch who used to meet at Seymore Pool in Marylebone. One night after retiring to the pub, I was walking back to the station carrying a bag with my dive gear in it when I was stopped by a Bobby on the beat. He aggressively demaned that I open the bag, which I did and when he found nothing he could nick me for, he told me to f*** off his patch. As I turned to walk away, he booted me up the backside som hard that it lifted me off my feet and deposited me in the gutter. For sevral days, I had trouble walking and had hobnail boot marks up my lower back.

The previous year (1966), I was in hall of residence and the Lord Mayor came for his annual dinner at the hall. As was tradition, all members of hall set off on a pub crawl afterwards. Given that ther were over 200 of us, the chances of getting more than one pint were slim. Fo those of you who know Bristol, we worked our way down Whiteladies Road down passed the uni, down Park Street and down the steps to The Hatchet. The steps go down in two flights and at the halfway point, a sergeant and three constables were waiting for us and started laying into everone who went passed, punching and kicking. One guy ended up with two broken ribs When one of the big guys from hall remonstrated with the sergeant, the sergeant responded with 'Come on. hit me. hit me!' He was just itching to arrest someone. Wise heads prevailed and no-one from hall responded. However, the police had left their patrol car untidily parked sticking out into the road so the hall rugby team kindly parked it more neatly for them - they picked it up and carried it 10 feet down an alley and left it crossways with about 6 inches front and back! An official complaint was made but the investigating officer said the formal sanctions were nothing compared to the ridicule they got from the rest of the nick because they had to walk back and organise a whole team of the strongest officers to get it out again.

[MarkP]

I guess now it's starting to affect middle class white people it's now being taken seriously which also says a lot about our society.

Forgot to respond to this in my last post.

I doubt even Sarah Everard's kidnap, rape and murder by a serving police officer would have moved the dial much, except for the extreme and stupid policing of her vigil.

A few pearls were clutched and a couple of coppers were jailed for sharing pictures of murdered sisters Nicole Smallman and Bibaa Henry, but I doubt anything substantive was going to change on account of how they weren't middle class and white. It took the violent arrests of peaceful white middle class women at a vigil* to make the establishment think it ought to make an effort (to improve its PR.)

*While our PM was partying and distinctly not getting arrested.

[MarkP]

We had a chap come along to take a job as assistant warden at the Wildlife Trust. He left when he found out he couldn't actually arrest/detain people who'd transgressed on site, dropping litter or climbing fences. Heaven help us if he decided to join the police.

I had a schoolfriend who had to drop out of RAF cadet training following a truly horrific car accident. I have no doubt he'd have been a fine Chinook pilot, but he was reactionary and racist.

The Met took him on pretty much as soon as he'd left hospital.

[jamesp]

I had a schoolfriend who had to drop out of RAF cadet training following a truly horrific car accident. I have no doubt he'd have been a fine Chinook pilot, but he was reactionary and racist.

The Met took him on pretty much as soon as he'd left hospital.

Many years ago, an undercover reporter joined the North Wales Police and made a documentary film of the experience; I think it was on BBC.
One part, he was filming one of the other recruits discussing their recent work exploits, whilst out drinking.
I recognised the pub, it was the Cayley Arms in Rhos on Sea, I used to drink there with my mate when he was a probationary copper.
The guy was at least half cut, give him some defence, but I remember watching the piece and thinking, "This guy has had to submit an application, been interviewed several times and been vetted, before being accepted to the training college (This was back when the first six months was full time police college in Cwmbran). How can such an utter bell end get through all that and get through basic training on to the job?"

This is why I think the vetting process for the Met will be an utter waste of box ticking.

Mind you, that "mate" (this is the broken nose guy), was later a tutor constable for a probationary copper who is the wife of a mutual school friend.
His summary, "Jesus Christ, what a F**King Nazi".
She is now a sergeant (that will be £40.5K start point), occasional acting Inspector, looking to make Inspector (start point £50.5K).

My ex-mate is now retired, and out earned me his entire career as a basic constable.
Three guesses who has post nominals and runs their own business.

[Chrisch]

That's the trouble when you're in a ghost town and you've done too much, much too young.....

Well, that is a message to you. Rudy.

[Spirit of Guernsey]

30-odd years ago I made the mistake of buying a flat in the Westcountry above the ringleader of a paedophile gang which included senior police officers, lawyers etc. Ended up in a prolonged verbal, legal and physical battle for a decade. Ended up with arrests, (including me,) convictions (including Mickey Mouse,) police corruption investigations, sackings, TV and newspaper articles, cover-ups, and ended up with me getting £50k in compensation.

I could write a book about it, but no one would believe it.

[barnaby_s]

30-odd years ago I made the mistake of buying a flat in the Westcountry above the ringleader of a paedophile gang which included senior police officers, lawyers etc. Ended up in a prolonged verbal, legal and physical battle for a decade. Ended up with arrests, (including me,) convictions (including Mickey Mouse,) police corruption investigations, sackings, TV and newspaper articles, cover-ups, and ended up with me getting £50k in compensation.

I could write a book about it, but no one would believe it.

Write that book, sounds like it could be a great read

[steelemonkey]

30-odd years ago I made the mistake of buying a flat in the Westcountry above the ringleader of a paedophile gang which included senior police officers, lawyers etc. Ended up in a prolonged verbal, legal and physical battle for a decade. Ended up with arrests, (including me,) convictions (including Mickey Mouse,) police corruption investigations, sackings, TV and newspaper articles, cover-ups, and ended up with me getting £50k in compensation.

I could write a book about it, but no one would believe it.

I wonder how many people live next door to a paedophile and don't know it.

[Paul Evans]

I wonder how many people live next door to a paedophile and don't know it.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11847694

I wouldn't bother doing any checking yourself!

[MarkP]

Cheapo electrical fittings.

I was an idiot and bought a cheapo double 13A socket with USB outputs for Mrs MarkP's kitchen.

What a sack of useless shite. I got it sort of swapped out after an hour and a bit of cursing its stupid construction. The screw connecting / holding the neutral cabling in place was only accessible from underneath and all terminals twisted around as I tightened them. Then the front plate flexed as it was screwed to the back box, so 13A plugs didn't really work without a bit of jiggling and pushing.

Quick trip to Screwfix and a proper MK double socket with USB later, it took about 15 minutes to remove the shite and replace it with the lovely MK unit. Mrs MarkP can now recharge her phone etc. without issue.

How do people (I'm looking at you, CPC) sell this shite with a clear conscience?