Morning all,

Just after some advice. I have been fortunate to pass the board and offered my permanent posting to…. Custody.

Not the dream I’d hoped for but a posting nonetheless.

However, I’ve since found out it has a 2 year tenure and I’ve spoken to several sgts who state it is very difficult to get out from once you have done the course and started even after 2 years. I have also spoken to those both still working as custody Sgt and those since leaving who have painted me a pretty bleak picture of the role. Now I know it wasn’t what I wanted but I’m really debating my options. I get the pros, no late finishes, no bringing home workload etc. however, I cannot see myself enjoying the role whatsoever. I have worked in 2 different forces and done several roles with the key being the ability to get out and be active. Even as Sgt whilst reduced this something I highly value.

If I knew I could do 2 years and therefore if it was awful whilst a long time I could get out then fine, it’s a small part in what hopefully continues to be a long career.

However, I’m worried about being stuck doing something I hate, being stuck indoors, never seeing sunlight and never getting job satisfaction.

I have the option to reject this posting. With a 12 month period to wait in a pool for a new one. Fortunately, there’s a high likelihood I can stay where I am due to a semi vacancy (suspension) whereby I can stay but obviously cannot remain permanent due to the post being taken by the officer suspended. I enjoy what I do and where I work. I am happy with several other less desirable posts other than custody upon reflection.

What are peoples thoughts? Any good stories of people working custody? Any stories of those rejecting a posting with outcomes?

Before anyone states, understand we are a disciplined organisation and in a perfect world I should go no questions asked. However, when you see people get highly desired roles all over without interview by knowing such and such a high ranking officer I sometimes wonder whether I should play the game somewhat.

Shwmae (hello) all,

I’m currently tutoring someone who even at the half way (6 week) point, it’s clear they’re not going to make it.

To be frank I’m exhausted. They’re not close to IPS (or even halfway there) for many reasons which I won’t go in to, but what I wanted to ask is how do people get through this situation?

I’ve raised this with my skipper and the evaluating skipper, who have both been great. However this is the first time I’ve ever been genuinely apprehensive about heading into work. I’m so tired.

Any tips or tricks for managing from here?

I gave Chat GPT a basic prompt for it to write a statement, how do you think this will effect the future of policing and what do you see being the positive and negatives? See the statement below:

MG11: Witness Statement

Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984

URN: (to be completed by case file team) Statement of: [Insert Officer’s Name] Age: Over 18 Occupation: Police Constable Address: [Insert Police Station Address]

This statement (consisting of 2 pages each signed by me) is true to the best of my knowledge and belief, and I make it knowing that if it is tendered in evidence, I shall be liable to prosecution if I have willfully stated in it anything which I know to be false or do not believe to be true.

Signed: _______________________ Date: 01/12/2024

Statement:

I am Police Constable [Insert Officer’s Name], shoulder number [Insert Number], currently attached to [Insert Team/Department].

At approximately 11:00 hours on Sunday, 1st December 2024, I was on duty in full uniform conducting routine patrols on Market Street. I was accompanied by [Insert Officer’s Name, if applicable].

While walking along Market Street, I observed a female later identified as Jane Doe behaving in a disorderly manner. She was shouting profanities, staggering in the roadway, and appeared to be heavily intoxicated. Members of the public were visibly alarmed by her behavior, with several moving away from her to avoid confrontation.

I approached the female and identified myself as a police officer. I attempted to engage with her, asking her to calm down and leave the area to prevent further disruption. Jane Doe responded by becoming increasingly aggressive, shouting, “You can’t tell me what to do!” and raising her voice further.

As I continued to speak to her, Jane Doe suddenly lunged forward and struck me in the chest with her open hand, causing immediate pain and knocking me slightly off balance. This was witnessed by members of the public and my colleague, [Insert Officer’s Name, if applicable].

Due to her behavior, I informed Jane Doe that she was under arrest for assaulting an emergency worker and being drunk and disorderly under Section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986. The arrest was made at 11:00 hours. I cautioned her, stating, “You do not have to say anything, but it may harm your defense if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence.” Jane Doe responded with further profanities, shouting, “I don’t care, do what you want!”

Jane Doe was restrained due to her aggressive behavior and transported to [Insert Custody Suite] for processing.

Jane Doe is described as a white female, approximately 5’6” in height, of medium build, with shoulder-length blonde hair. She was wearing a black jacket, blue jeans, and white trainers at the time of her arrest. She appeared heavily intoxicated, with slurred speech and a strong smell of alcohol on her breath.

I suffered minor discomfort to my chest as a result of the assault, but I did not require medical attention.

This concludes my statement.

Signed: _______________________ Date: 01/12/2024

I posted this for advice https://www.reddit.com/r/AskDocs/s/94ay6hnnLJ

Everyone is telling me to report it but I’m unsure. What would happen if I did? Will the police tell anyone else? My main fear is because I was previously abused in a children’s home and back then the police did not believe me. They asked me to withdraw the allegations and threatened to charge me with wasting police time if I refused. Later, there was a government inquiry that proved the abuse did happen and I received compensation but any old police records will still say I made false allegations. Also, being abused by more than one person makes it look as if I am the problem. I don’t know what to do.

Context first - I am a probie, second year in.

I’ve become increasingly aware that my team is pretty toxic.

It seems every few weeks there’s a new ‘villain’. They’ll do something relatively minor to piss one person off and that 1 persons response is to go around and moan about it to every other single colleague rather than speaking directly to the person.

Before you know it, they’re on the receiving end of barbed comments from others in the team and the gossiping/bitching continues until up steps a new villain.

When I was being tutored, I became that villain because I’d made some mistakes. At the time, I hadn’t realised it was a toxic team, so took that as a massive hit and reflection on my own performance. Now I’m seeing things differently, not taking it personally and frankly walking away when any of those types of conversations start in my vicinity.

Understand knee jerk reaction would be ‘speak to sergeants or inspector’. I would, however, it seems their strategy is to keep the most toxic people happy. They’re amongst the most experienced/competent cops and some of them are massive personalities who are popular. In other words, it ain’t happening.

I read another thread saying police teams are like the jungle/high school with hierarchies which is seriously resonating.

Any ideas/suggestions, can anyone relate? Can anyone confirm this is just a bad team?

I posted in legaladviceUK as well, but I thought it might be a good place to ask too.

To give a bit of context: I was sexually abused over 10 years ago. I reported it to the police about 5 years later, and the abuser was found guilty and got sentenced to prison. I wasn't his only victim.

Then i had to report domestic abuse. I decided that I don't want to go to criminal court, but applied to a non molestation order, which was granted.

And then it brings me to the last accident. I had sex with someone few months ago. The whole experience was very unpleasant, as he completely ignored many of my nos and boundaries. But the main issue is that he removed the condom without my knowledge and consent, and he knew well that I'm not comfortable with unprotected sex. I know it's illegal, but I decided to leave it, as I can't see it going far in the legal system, as it's simply my word against his. But I recently found out that he had sex with someone else, and she agreed that he's not respecting other people's boundaries, although she doesn't feel abused. I decided to report him to the police. I still don't think he'll be charged, or that it'll even go to trial, but I hope that if he's reported, he'll at least never do it to anyone else again.

So here's my question: it will be the 3rd time I'm reporting someone abusing it. Is it going to make me look like a perpetual victim or someone who's a bit at fault for constantly getting abused? What if I'm raped again in the future or decide to report someone else - will I be taken seriously?

Thanks everyone.

Going to be moving soon and will need to be using non TfL trains, I was wondering what are the discounts with atoc or is it like certain train journeys are free?

Had my phone stolen while on one of the national rail trains heading home a few nights ago.

Made a report with BTP soon after it happening, mostly for insurance purposes, I don’t expect the phone to be recovered so not really fussed about it.

Mostly just shaken up still by the events leading up to the incident, and remembering how these men were about to target me and that sinking feeling of “Shit. Something is about to happen to me right now.”

Fortunately no violence or anything, just snatched it from my hands and ran off. I’m kicking myself for not being brave enough to get a good look at the guys who did it, was trying to keep my head down to avoid drawing attention to myself.

A BTP officer said they’d requested the CCTV footage from the train, but what happens after that? Will they actually be able to see anything? Am I expected to do anything else?

And I don’t know if this would be a strange request so don’t want to ask if the answer will be no, but I’d actually like to see the CCTV footage of it happening. Is this allowed either during or after the investigation? I guess I hope that by watching it I can stop replaying it 24/7 in my mind.

Hi all,

New to Reddit and only signed up so I could post here and get some external advice on things.

Without running the risk of writing the next Harry Potter novel, I’ll give a little about what the difficult 6 months were:

I’m a 32 year old PC with a major county force. Have been in the job now approaching 3 years, having spent just under 6 1/2 in the RAF prior to it. In the 3 years I started on ICR, applied for a PCT role as a DC, got it, passed NIE, started in March of this year and come end of June, was off sick with severe burnout and stressors galore.

Adding a bit more context, I joined the job to seek a role in firearms due to experience and direction I had in the military, coupled with fitness levels etc. and a steady hand on the trigger. In my initial 12 months, it became clear that I knew how to investigate and I took it to the nth degree which led to people suggestion a DC role and to move in to a proactive DC role in the future- give up the military mindset, I was told! Anyway, I listened, put an absolute metric ton of work in to my application for it, NIE study and all whilst carrying 20-25 jobs, some which were proper.

Having spent 3 months as a DC, I hit a huge wall in June of this year. Work burnout finally hitting me, my Mum going through a shit time with health, and also a sense of imposter syndrome and feeling like a square in a circle hole- I was f***** and I made the decision to come off to help my head. I further made the call to return to shift (in hindsight daft) to best pursue getting back on track to firearms.

After having 2 months off to complete decompress whilst the Mother was undergoing various things, I returned back on to shift. However, in the time off, nothing progressed with regards to the right support for the head and coping mechanisms to help get me back to my absolute best- which is a good, competent operational and investigating officer.

I returned to shift in September of this year and all the symptoms returned back. I’ve had a colossal realization that the entire team dynamic has changed since I left, the organization has changed and it seems like a revolving door of colleagues and line management. To top it all off, the imposter syndrome came back and I had a feeling of not knowing where the f*** I was, self doubting, not believing in my capabilities and questioning why I’m here- all of which, I still kept away from the actual doing of my job. When returning back, there were whispers of lack of personal development, and being told that due to wishing to apply for firearms, there was an unlikely spot to do courses and that I was ‘down the pecking order’. I become a bit disillusioned and all of a sudden, I’m lacking motivation, I’m not sleeping and the job is back to consuming me. Worrying about my future and comparing myself to others- feeling almost like due to the change in dynamics, I’m starting at day 1 and also being judge on my own decisions to take time off. The stigma behind MH sickness being rife. This all led to a second period of 4 weeks off and a decision to invest and put time in to CBT therapy (privately) because something had to change.

Now I am here. I’m due back on 4th December and there has been incredibly positive news in my personal, family life. However, the self doubting is creeping back. I’ve been told that I’ll be supported for firearms, but I’m worried that ultimately, there will be prejudice due to taking time away. The problem in my head is a certain belief that words aren’t actions. I’m worried about relapsing and I’m worried that the negativity will creep back in.

Has anyone been in this position prior that has a success story? I’m trying everything I can to save a career and hopefully get to where I will thrive, but it just feels like I’ve taken a nosedive in my decision making. I’ve been fortunate to befriend a prior skipper who is an SFO in CT, they have given no end of support to keep going and a belief that I have the capabilities in me- but I can’t shake the self doubting. I’m also very worried I sound petulant. It’s just it can be hard when you were something in a prior career, and then you find yourself wondering who’s actually around to listen. Gah, this job, I swear!

I have an appointment with the Force Medical Advisor due to my mental health (depression) on Tuesday. Does anyone know what happens at these meetings and what outcomes they can have? I’m based in a South England force

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ik0XCkTiIPs

Transport Secretary Louise Haigh MP admits that she has a fraud conviction from 2013. In a press release, she stated that in 2013 whilst working for Aviva, she was victim of a street robbery, and reported the loss (amongst other things) of a work mobile phone. Some time later, she discovered that it had not in fact been lost in the crime. She goes on to state that the act of her switching the phone back on was flagged to police who then called her in for VA in connection with this. She was advised by her solicitor to no comment and was subsequently charged and received a discharge at Mags. She also says that she regrets taking solicitors advice.

So - in a completely unconnected hypothetical case - a PC comes to you with a minor theft / fraud MG3. Woman says she was mugged and phone was taken. We later by some means find out it wasn't taken and presumably she is still in possession of it. Company is supportive. Call her in. She goes no comment. What's your decision - caution, charge or NFA?

When applying for roles, and having to complete CVF level 1, would you write for every possible one or just a selection?

So, apropos the recent comms (which I am astonished haven’t been leaked yet) what do we reckon? Last minute funding breakthrough, or is it “when we said NMfL, we didn’t mean that”

To start:

• What have been their major successes in the last year, 5 years, 20 years?
• Do you even know what PFEW stands for?
• Do you even know who is in the PFEW?

As a reminder, this organisation is happy to take money from your account each month. My lasting memory of the PFEW is from 2012 with the Windsor & Pension reforms.

The PFEW then threw 2/3's of the E & W Police Force under the bus by allowing them to get screwed, but somehow protected the top 1/3.

In protecting, I mean the top 1/3 just about kept their 30 year pension plan. Not that this improved anything. General pay conditions were made worse though for everyone.

The same leaders from this era later got done for embezzlement of (our) funds.

Just as a final note, the PFEW announced last week that they intend to fight the PRRB by launching another survey. I am sure the PRRB are losing sleep each night because of this.

Long story short, I’m about to join the RAF and my husband is a police officer. Usually in the RAF you get a new posting every 3 - 5 years, if we were to get married quarters, how easy would it be for my husband to change police forces so he’s able to move as per my postings?

Any information on this will be much appreciated!

Thank you!

I'm wondering, is the level 2 course worth doing? I'm fairly young (pre 20s) and have just under a year in. A couple people I've spoke to have said they're letting their tickets run out since they get messed about with cancelled rest days, long shifts etc. Most of our OT is level 2 and I could do with the extra money from some overtime. What do you think about it? Is it worth the course for some overtime?

Morning all, it’s Thursday morning and the job once again has rubbed me up the wrong way before my days even began 🤣

Essentially I’ve had to be back coursed for the university degree I’ve never wanted/needed (was the only way into the job at the time) and this has been due to life situations beyond anyone’s control.

The thing is they’ve now cancelled my annual leave which was booked 12 months in advance, to accommodate the new university dates. (This leave isn’t for another good 5 months yet)

They’ve done this without consulting me or knowing whether I’ve had anything booked during this time off.

I’m definitely going to query this with the fed, but thought it may be worth an ask here about the regulations with the job cancelling leave, especially so far in advance and without any prior notice or discussion.

Thanks in advance and hope your day goes better than mines started 👍

Hello heroes,

Using a burner account to remain anonymous.

Sadly I recently lost a very close family member (immediate family) and I have their funeral coming up. My family and I have been discussing and we feel as though it would be a nice gesture for me to attend wearing the formal tunic. This has already been ordered on force stores so things are in the works.

I wanted to ask what people's opinions would be on attending a non-police funeral in the tunic? The family member in question was very proud of what I do and I feel as though they would be happy (from above) with the choice of clothing. It's a big part of my life and something that they saw me grow and develop through. However, I want to know what the official "code" on this is and whether it would be generally considered OK to wear the tunic to this type of event.

Is it usual to require a lawyer to deal with a Police misconduct hearing (in England, Met police)? I was talking to a friend who is going through this and they mentioned they are struggling to afford a lawyer for the hearing, and might have to represent themselves, so I’m just wondering if that’s normal? I didn’t want to press them for details but it sounds quite serious if a lawyer is needed. Has anyone got any experience of these hearings? Thanks!

Last night shift before rest days which I'm now on, I arrested someone of substantial means (legal business type), not the usual kind we deal with on response. They went for the duty solicitor for interview, I expected a KC request at the custody desk lol, Anyway since being bailed they have instructed a legal team and I've had 2 emails today off very experienced senior lawyers at a large international law firm (a legit one). They are asking me for all sorts regarding the case as well as a request to speak to me via phone.

I'm rather scared they are going to tie me in knots. I'm a response cop, not dealt with a situation like this before and not trained on it. I'll have my SGT and Inspector to ask when I'm back on shift Saturday morning. Any advice how to proceed dealing with them? Thanks

Anyone know what motorbike gear SEG wear , either the textile make or BK custom leathers? Assume Daytona boots? Also their gloves? Had noticed textiles but recently leathers

How do you guys deal with all the dead bodies that we encounter. I find myself replaying incidents that I dealt with.