tallpaul

Of course they did...that's exactly what they thought. I don't know what sort of contact you've ever had with drug users and at what stage of their 'addiction' they were... but I'd like to hear your experience... If you don't mind telling ...

It's also self inflicted and in the case of Heroin, the damaging effects are hardly a mystery..are they? So I'm a bit loathed to be showing 'pity' towards someone who chooses to go down that path.. I'm sure your liberal tree hugging spiel is welcomed by the sandal wearing brigade.....but I'd be interested to know what pity you show when a Heroin addict breaks into your house, to fund his 'poorly awful addiction'...

Whilst that may be true. I think if they were honest, a police officer would tell you they'd prefer another constable on shift with them as opposed to four PCSOs working alongside them. That's not a personal slur, just a reflection of what I know..on average. However, as SNU or Ts or As or whatever they are called this week..work alongside PCSOs it's unlikely there's going to be very many boat rockers. I concede that.

You obviously don't have much contact with many police officers then...because I hear negative vibes all the time about PCSOs. It's not the people themselves...as many are very good at what they do, are excellent well intentioned people etc. However, it's the whole government initiative to water down the police force, leaving a 2 and 3 tiered law enforcement service that winds most police officers up. Nowadays, I have no contact whatsoever with PCSOs. When they were first introduced, I did, but no longer. My role is much different. It's not a case of shooting them down..it's what i've already explained about the watering down of police patrols. As for "someone within the organisation"..the force that I joined is now called a "service" and we're positively encouraged to voice our opinions and question this and that. (Personally, I think we've watered down the discipline a bit too much also...but that's a different subject)...

You make some good points there Mark...on several counts.. Firstly, as you say...the 'presence' is there on the streets with PCSOs....when the real cops are as tied up as much as they are.... In addition, cops nowadays tend to spend very little (if any) time walking the streets..... Then...they spend only 2 or 3 years as a panda driver before specialising and moving into a 'squad'.. where general patrol is then left to those he/she left behind on panda car/duty group. So.. yeah..the point you make about PCSOs on the streets is a good one..

No it's not...but if a tiger doesn't have any teeth...would you really be concerned about it..? You don't need baton and CS to arrest people. Whilst I have used such weapons on several occasions.....less than 0.5% require even getting them out, let alone using them. However, the fact that I carry them..puts many offenders off from attacking me or other people. In addtion, my powers as a constable allows real 'hands on' detention..as opposed to the clock watching pussy footing about that the poor PCSO has to contend with.. To be honest, I don't see your point you are making... I mean even YOU had more powers than PCSOs and you weren't even paid for walking the streets...

On the whole..that is because they've 'heard it from somebody down the pub, who knew someone, who's sister once saw...' etc. Or because they (through no fault of their own) have been fed the fear line by the tabloid media..... I mean... several weeks ago the media would have you believe that every pit bull type dog in the country had had a switched flicked in their heads. Now, this week...it's as if it never happened. Media has a lot to answer for in this country

Whilst at the same time voting Labour into power...who have seen the PCSOs as a much cheaper alternative to real police officer. Less salary, less financial perks, no police pensions, less money to train etc... Whilst at the same time hoodwinking the public into thinking there's more cops on the streets..because the public see a yellow jacket and with POLICE on the back...but in tiny letters underneath community support officer If that's not a government initiative to fool the public......whilst at the same time saving money..I dont know what is...

I agree.. it's shocking and sickening... Yet the only people (or body of people) that appear to be concerned about it are the police. Crimestoppers isn't exactly a 20 minute call waiting service to get through. There aren't enough people informing the police of their suspicouns, fears, thoughts, etc etc. People don't want to be a 'grass' etc... and turn the other way. You're not supposed to take comfort in it, (but I can understand your reason for sarcasm). You are supposed to realise that you are far far more likely to be killed by someone behind a wheel than by someone behind a gun or a needle. Fact. Fact. Fact. Fact. I personally don't think we take much crap at all. The decent member of the public faces more crap that an average police officer. Mr Scumbag will threaten his neighbour, he'll swear at the woman in the post office because his giro is late, he'll threaten the young lad in the McDonalds queue for being in front of him etc... But when the police arrive.. Mr Scumbag will often try to be Mr Nice...and very rarely will he turn violent. The public face far more crap than the cops..and it's not on. Our tolerance levels appear to be wildly different nowadays. The decent people appear to put up with and take so much crap.. Whilst the bad guys seem to rise to abuse and aggression at the drop of a hat ! Hard drugs are here to stay...they've been here for centuries and with better communication, better vehicles, better lines of contact..it just gets better and better. It's how we deal with the perpetrators that will ultimately seal the fate of this country...

Because most people have decent enough morals and also many decent people have the fear of capture, the shame, the worry etc.. That's why half you population doesn't turn to crime, as you put it. The scumbag element of the community doesn't have such thoughts.... Many crimes go unreported. There are many small crimes that we, the police, never get to hear about. The criminal activities of the 'young' is at the worst that it's every been. There is very little respect in the young of today, from both poor and wealthy backgrounds and when the lack of morals and fear come into it, that is when you have problems.

Whilst I agree with you... (toe-ing the party line, as I do occasionally)... Woudn't you prefer some real police officers instead. The ones that have powers to deal with offender properly and the equipment and training to protect you...

I didn't know you were a 'pot head'.. If there is a likelihood of catching an offender, then fingerprints/dna will be taken at a scene of a burglary, and is. There has to be some real chance of dna/fingerprints being left behind though. A walk in burglary or one where gloves have obviously been used may be a problem. The 'point' as you put it, is that many many crimes are solved by the cross referencing of fingerprint/dna to known suspects. The DNA especially nowadays.. Historic crimes (often quite serious ones) are being detected with advances in that type of science.

So you've googled a bit and found four incidents. Tragedies, I know. The Dando murder was several years ago, for goodness sake. But (harsh as it may sound) still not exactly a major worry for "Mrs and Mrs Average". In the last 12 months or so, the numbers of UK murders where a firearm was used was: 73. The number of knife related/bladed murders (including domestic murders with a knife): 236 Out of a nation of 60 million people, I personally don't think those crime figures are too bad.... There is far more danger of being hit by a drunk or dangerous driver...Road deaths on average = over 3000 Lets get things into perspective here...

Please explain how gun crime affects Mr and Mrs Average If you can't back that up with facts. Please back it up with some vague idea of what you mean...

For a civilised, even an uncivilised community to operate smoothly you need discilpine, control and compliance. If there's no detterant to an action, what's to disuade you from doing it? If there's a speed camera on a road, a driver will adhere to the limit on there...and perhaps speed elsewhere. A dog that has been told off for digging up the flowerbed, thinks twice the next time he gets the urge.. Now with criminals, they need a detterent to prevent them committing crime. 1) For some it's the fear of prison. 2) Others it's the fear of getting caught by the police, and what that might bring. 3) Some even fear what a victim might do to them. ie: householder. Now all things said above.... However many criminals really fear either 1,2 or 3 in 2007 ? The householder fears the consequences of his actions should he detain a burglar. The police officer doesn't want to risk his pension with so many do-gooders standing in the wings with video cameras and pre-written letters of complaint. The prisons are over crowed, filled with recreational facilities, SKYTV, gymnasiums, warm meals, no council tax payments etc etc.. There's nothing much to really put you off a life of crime nowadays, is there? Depressing isn't it? (Well for the good people it is)

Not necessarily. It could be prostitution. possesion causes nobody a problem. Perhaps not per se. But the subsequent use IS. It's like saying a possession of a gun isn't a problem. It's just when someone pulls the trigger. The police catch plenty of thieves. Having worked on a shoplifting squad some years ago, I can tell you that I never had so much overtime ! Now the associated sentences handed out by the courts, is where the system falls on its arse.. True, very true. A bit deep....but there's probably some truth way down deep.

I think the gun problem is much of a muchness.... There are very few of the armed robberies of the 1970 and 1980s.. However, the drug gang member v drug gang member shootings are on the up... although you'd have to look hard for the term drug gang member in the media. "Promoter" of this and that is usually the best wishy washy job description. In my opinion Mr and Mrs average has nothing to worry about regarding the minor gun ownership by drug dealers....at this time.

Fence it off.... Sorry.. You don't mean the usage in the trees....you mean the drug problem.... I really don't know. As the majority of drug users are voluntary participants, I wouldn't worry about any 'cold turkey' they might suffer from a prison sentence. Although prisons aren't drug free..and that's another subject altogether. Tougher sentences for possession and for committing crime to fund drugs. More prisons, tougher prisons... etc.

If you want to know what a problem drug use in Sheffield is..... have a look in the bushes and in the trees on Park Square Roundabout (in the middle)....[WARNING: wear stout boots !] There is in the region of 1000 used needles..... The council clear it...then the week after the same number of discarded needles is present.... Worrying....very worrying.... Even I was a bit shocked...

I agree with you 100%...

I also missed national service. I chose to go into the military, and signed for 6 years, and enjoyed every minute. I don't know of any connection between the abolition of NS and the increase in drug use. What I do know is that military life gives one self discipline, confidence, experience, comradeship and many other qualities that stand you in good stead for the rest of your life. I'm a firm believer in it.

Absolutely Remember this fellow also; Adolf Hitler Couldn't function without daily methylamphetamine injections into his buttocks by his ever-diligent, ever-present physician, Doctor Morell. Also took cocaine eyedrops - fact fans.

My colleagues and I don't have any superiors. We d, however, have 'Senior' officers. I presume you are referring to them. Ok bladebloke. It has been nice chatting with you. Genuinely

True...however 'using', drinking or possession of alcohol was never banned or made illegal.... only the "Selling", "manufacturing", or "transporting" [The benefits of a classical education] But i'm sure you knew that.....

You're right....they don't. It's a pity they didn't have the bloody sense they were born with in the first place..isn't it. ?