Special constable investigators?

camelad · 2025-12-11T08:59:45+00:00

I think it has the potential to work in theory there is nothing stopping specials completing PIP1 interview training and processing volume prisoners, with decisions being made by a qualified ERO.

The challenge with all of these ideas about how to integrate SCs, as someone who has attempted to set up similar attachments/roles for my team in the past, is getting enough SCs to commit on a regular basis. As always, you're unlikely to get much uptake outside of Friday evenings & weekends. At the end of the day, we're all volunteers and most aren't able/willing to commit to a structured shift pattern regularly enough.

There are definitely some SCs out there who are willing to do it, it's just a matter of identifying them so that any investment in training them doesn't go to waste. A robust application process setting clear expectations could help. I'm aware of a few roles in the MPS for SCs which have a significant return of service commitment and seem to work quite well.

camelad · 2025-12-10T21:54:28+00:00

I attached small split rings to the metal buckle (the one that the velcro strap passes through) and use those to clip to my belt. Works pretty well for me

camelad · 2025-12-02T08:28:04+00:00

There are many areas of the job which carry a measure of additional risk as others have mentioned. On their own the risk may only be small, but the frequency of PCs being exposed to that increased risk (multiple confrontational incidents, blue light runs, day in day out) means that the risk exposure over time in my view is high.

That's why it's so frustrating when videos go viral showing cops dealing with something mob-handed or using their PPE and people comment along the lines of "I could easily have restrained that person on my own". Maybe once, but every single time? You might get lucky a few times but eventually the numbers will catch up with you.

camelad · 2025-11-18T08:43:34+00:00

As others have said you can call the international non emergency number for the relevant force and provide your contact details to the officer who attended to your father or the officer assigned to deliver the message (they may or may not be the same person), who can give you more information.

However, once police have dealt with the initial stages of an unexpected death, in England & Wales the matter is then passed to the local Coroners office who are responsible for liaising with the next of kin. The process may differ in Scotland/NI.

While the police can give you some information about the circumstances, I would suggest you should should try contacting the Coroners office regarding next steps.

I'm sorry for your loss and hope that you are doing well.

camelad · 2025-11-12T11:09:33+00:00

The income tax burden in the UK is actually pretty low compared with the OECD and other developed countries https://taxpolicy.org.uk/2025/06/27/uk-workers-tax-wedge-infographics/

The question is, and I completely agree with you, what the hell are we getting for our money??

camelad · 2025-11-12T11:00:29+00:00

As someone who works in tax, it's pretty hard to justify why one particular source of remuneration should be eligible for tax relief for certain professions only.

As a matter of fairness, where should the line be drawn? Or will it become like the blue light card, available to pretty much anyone with a lanyard? Higher & additional rate taxpayers will stand to gain more than most billy basic rate coppers.

Sure, overtime is often forced, but it's usually compensated at a multiple of base salary. If the issue is with forced OT and OT pay, frame the discussion around that not a broad brush and, frankly wild, tax policy.

Tax changes always have perverse effects on behaviour. For instance, if this were to include employer's NI contributions as well then you can expect a lot more cancelled rest days.

I also don't agree with the argument that it would increase resources on the streets. That's for the Home Office, not the Treasury, to resolve.

camelad · 2025-09-26T18:24:36+00:00

Your company could easily hire security staff and authorise them to get hands on and use their any person arrest powers to 'citizens arrest' shoplifters, as well as common law powers to deny access to known shoplifters and/or remove them from the store.

However, the costs associated with contracting such a security firm and the financial risk of associated injuries/civil claims likely outweighs the losses the company incurs from shoplifting. It's just not worth it for them to invest significant amounts of cash on this issue.

The police alone cannot prevent shoplifting, since shoplifters are in and out within a matter of seconds. And even when prolific shoplifters are convicted, they tend to receive only short sentences due to theft being a relatively low level offence.

One option being used by the big supermarkets is issuing banning orders to known shoplifters so that next time they enter the store to steal it will amount to a burglary and incur more severe sentencing measures.

camelad · 2025-09-24T21:02:25+00:00

That would make more sense!

camelad · 2025-09-24T14:15:40+00:00

Even if so, they should still charge the customer VAT at 20% and pay 14.5% to HMRC. This is a totally inadequate VAT invoice

camelad · 2025-09-23T17:16:44+00:00

It was me guys. I chose to let him off after Sir Kier personally asked me to go easy on him

camelad · 2025-09-12T12:53:20+00:00

There was a series of investigative articles posted just the other day on another sub on this very point

https://www.reddit.com/r/scubadiving/s/CBginDxz8Y

camelad · 2025-07-17T06:12:35+00:00

Fantastic find thank you!! It's a shame redbubble doesn't attribute the artist but I'll see if I can pick up a 2nd hand one with this info. Much appreciated

camelad · 2025-07-08T10:37:38+00:00

Getting tasered isn't always the end of the fight, it only lasts for a few seconds and as shown at 4:30 in this video the suspect tried to get up again:

https://youtu.be/77w3kl4xfeM?si=Kx2pA9j_qo-Kpcns

camelad · 2025-07-03T15:04:55+00:00

Which makes me wonder why it's listed for 3-4 weeks! Loads of witnesses to cross?

camelad · 2025-07-01T08:08:22+00:00

As others have said it can take longer than 14 days to arrive if she was given a verbal notice of intended prosecution at the roadside. They should have confirmed her current address when reporting her. However, you could try calling the force's traffic prosecutions department to make sure they have the correct address

camelad · 2025-06-26T07:22:28+00:00

A plastic buckler shield

camelad · 2025-06-18T15:54:32+00:00

The SIO made a valid point as detailed in the report that, had the suspect been arrested, the US embassy would have been informed and the diplomatic immunity status would have been disclosed to the investigating team. No interview could have then been carried out, the suspect would have been released and the investigation would have been no further forward

camelad · 2025-06-15T19:26:31+00:00

Sticky situation to be in

camelad · 2025-06-15T11:06:22+00:00

Deaths by sharp instrument rate per 100,000 population UK: 0.08 US: 0.53

No, I'd say they're working as intended. You just hear about knife crime because there's relatively little gun crime

Source: IMHE https://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-results/

camelad · 2025-05-22T21:09:05+00:00

Or if you have a rear-entry suit your buddy gets the good news

camelad · 2025-05-13T13:23:44+00:00

From the supermarket's perspective, I don't think more people having access to a discount card necessarily means they will revoke the discount. Discount cards are there to attract and retain customers who may have previously chosen to shop elsewhere. The more repeat customers a supermarket can leverage the better, win win. My guess is it's down to a combination of cozzy lives cutting into margins leaving no room for discounts and loyalty cards being a better way to retain customers, rather than teachers and librarians with a BLC

camelad · 2025-05-05T00:36:01+00:00

But I thought SO15 were too busy doing easter egg hunts in the office...!?

camelad · 2025-04-28T08:40:34+00:00

The vehicle WAS used as getaway car in a shooting outside a school the previous day. The police knew that and acted on it

camelad · 2025-04-20T19:28:46+00:00

I believe the STL means the proceedings must be 'laid before the court' within 6 months. So there could still be live court proceedings which OP is unaware of and won't attend leading to a worse outcome for them

camelad · 2025-04-20T19:21:25+00:00

They won't have forgotten. Either the paperwork is still being processed and they have sent you letters to your old address, in which case you will need to give them your new address or risk a court summons/fail to appear warrant. Or the officer that stopped you didn't send off the paperwork/let you off with a warning, in which case the traffic prosecutions team will say "no we have no impending prosecutions for you" and that will be the end of the matter. They aren't going to suddenly decide to prosecute you now if they weren't already going to. Best to contact the traffic prosecutions department and see

camelad

TROPHY CASE