Jack touches a raw nerve

Jack Straw may have started something of a furore with his comments concerning his scepticism over whether some Police Officers are hard working, but I have to support him in some of his views.

I knew some officers who were desperate to get promoted because they saw that as their ticket to no longer deal with the public. Thankfully they were in the tiny minority, but it is foolish to pretend that they didn’t exist. For some, promotion meant Monday to Friday 9-5 and as far as they cared World War 3 could break out on Saturday with 3 or 4 officers to deal with it. ‘Esso’ was the nickname used, Every Saturday & Sunday Off. Having said that, there were many who led by example and were respected by those they supervised, but there was always the desk jockeys. One area of irritation for me was the individuals who had identified the smoking ban as a skivers charter. The policy clearly stated that there would be no more smoking in Police buildings. It didn’t decree that those who wished to smoke could now congregate in little groups several times a day for a smoking break, but that’s what happened. I know one sergeant who switched from cigarettes to smoking cigars because they gave him at least 15 minutes outside. He did that at least 3 times a day giving himself nearly half a shift off during a ‘working’ week, before returning to his desk with its coloured felt pens and charts. Of course that little scam isn’t just confined to the Police service, but we all know it rankles with those who continue working while the scam is practised.

ACPO President Sir Hugh Orde had it nailed when he said the "overwhelming majority" of police officers went to work to do a good job and keep the public safe. Unfortunately like MPs, in the public’s eyes the bad apples ruin the whole barrel!



nick