Reflection
It seems that not everyone is a fan.
I’ve been rumbled and stand accused of a number of curious ‘offences’. You’ll be pleased to hear that I’ve gone ‘No Comment’.
For the foreseeable future I’m on gardening leave.
This is so that I can “seriously reflect on the impact and outcomes of some of my statements”.
The first thing I need to do is to build a grassy knoll.
Anyone know where I can get some cheap manure?
posted by Brian @ 12:07 AM
83 Comments:
As a long term lurker i can say I have never found your blogs subject of any offence or offenses. Good luck and best regards.
Just wanted to speak up for myself and fellow lurkers to let you know we are rooting for you.
best wishes,seems the worlds gone mad.
As a Magistrate, I found / find your Blog - and the others - very revealing/ useful.
However, windbags fear being pricked and it's clear that many in the Police management are nowt but windbags, so your sharp wit/ observation must scare them spitless. Good luck with the petty minded, vindictive jobsworths!
Whatever happened to "if you can't take a joke, you shouldn't have joined the Force"? - Oh, I forgot - it's a 'Service', not a 'Force' nowadays.
Hoddy
Dam..you been rumbled?...is this the end?
And they say "the truth will set you free"?
Good luck, don't let them grind you down. You've always expressed more true professionalism that the idiots in charge.
Sorry to hear about that.
I suspect it was your mum's posting about the "overtime budget that needs spending" that tipped the balance.
What a bunch of tossers!
Spin your garden leave out as long as you can. And then get a job script writing. Maybe for the Bill!
Absolutely laughable, having lurked and read your posts for a few months now, i cannot for the life of me see that you have ever brought your profession into disrespect, only shown that the at least some of the plod have a sense of humour, professionalism and keen observation. Aren't they traits they actually advertise as being desirable in new recruits?
Lloydie
Reflect upon this Brian, you obviously perform your duties with intelligence, fairness and your tongue very firmly in your cheek. One of the joys of a job one enjoys doing is gently mocking it, which is exactly what you do.
I wonder what your superiors find offensive in this.
As a 60 year old disabled widow with a sharp mind and even sharper tongue, I will miss your daily bulletins from the real world.
Brian,
I'm pretty sure I speak for all your readers when I say that reading your comments has only increased my respect for you and others in your job.
I hope your superiors are reading this - is there some way of passing our comments on to them?
We badly need something to balance the spin boys that are clearly behind most Police public announcements today. Without your views and input I feel unable to accept at all the increasingly more and more 'PR' staged police announcements.
Brian,
Much admired the effort and honesty you put into this blog. Reflecting upon it always cheered me up when out on my own 'throbbing' beat.
I'll resist the obvious answer as to where you can obtain the manure...!
keep your pecker up and "Non illigitamus carborundum !!!"
The Mole
"and the truth shall set you free"
Yeah, Right.
You dont appear to have breached Data Protection or anyones Human Rights. You have not disclosed anything sensitive. You have simply demonstrated (quite accuratly) the way things really are. As long as your line manager is a sensible understanding person who has some common sense you should be fine...
Better nip down the garden centre now then.
Good luck. I'd be sorry to not see any more posts here! Keep your spirits up.
If, as says Steve Smith, there is any way of letting the man-in-blue-not-in-blue how we feel, let us know.
If this is true (and not some cynical ploy to draw in viewers before a last minute plot twist relieves us all) then I can only assume that the Professional Standards Department in the Throbbing Metropolis have got far too much time on their hands and also would like a little mention of their own.
Imagine the stories Brian will be able to tell about the three year wait to find out that he has been cleared of any wrongdoing.
Ouch! We had a nice long 'briefing' with professional standards a few weeks ago.. Hope they don't get their claws into you!! :-s
i am currently in training to become a fello officer and am hoping that my tutor constable would have the humour and the knowledge that you have.
omg doomed!
Brian,
A great shame. As for the suggestion that you should "seriously reflect on the impact and outcomes of some of my statements”, I cannot help thinking that those very thoughts should be aimed in the opposite direction; to the so-called policy makers, the politically correct brigade and all those in senior ranks, who are little more than purveyors of the spin and flannel of whichever government is in power.
The actions of those who have interrupted this very worthwhile view of the police service and politics of today wil be total anathema to every sensible and right-thinking man or woman doing a real job, whether they be in the job or not.
Looking forward to reading you again soon. Until then, the best of luck.
Just as a matter of curiosity Brian, how did the throbbing so-and-so's rumble you in the first place? Who grassed?
Regards
Bill
Delurking here to say that I hope you can resolve the position with the leaders of the Throbbing Metropolis. I think you're in grave danger of bringing the image of policing into good repute (under somewhat trying circumstances, when faced with some of us civvies).
In short, what ros h said. Best of luck...
Sorry to hear that they have no sense of humour, you do more to show the good side of policing then any amount of policy initiatives.
The Thought Police strike again!!! Are they really so naive or stupid as to believe their own spin regarding crime fighting in this country? (Very rhetorical question.....)
If the politicians had any integrity (I know, I know, delusions will get me nowhere), they and senior political officers would be grateful for having the ineffectiveness of statistic driven policing exposed.
The only people who should be embarrassed are those whose politically correct ineptitude make crime prevention difficult or impossible for front line officers.
Best of luck.
Best wishes. You may find the emotional impact of gardening leave like a bereavment, coping one minute, down the next. Trust your instincts and don't forget you have human rights, too. Good luck.
Best of luck from another magistrate. Who do these people think they are kidding by trying to suppress on the Internet what real people are talking about all the time?
Of course they've suspended you, you've been using a blog to express your opinion of nationally publicised police policy, which is obviously an offence under...
*leafs through various police disciplinary texts*
... oh.
Pity, maybe the commissioner should refect on some of his statments and resign
Best of luck Brian.
Being ex City your posts brought back many memories.
Hope your Fed rep is up to scratch.
Regards
Brian, don't spend too much time on 'Reflection'.
You've done more good for our throbbing metropolis by showing the 'human side' of policing than any official poster campaign could ever hope to achieve.
Hopefully the faceless stazi won't grind you down.
Blues And Twos
Brian, your police blog is a daily read 'must'.
Wishing you all the best whatever you decide.
You're always welcome to post on our forum.
Police Oracle
Brian, tell them all to sod off. Come back soon.
Brian, just to say good lucki. i've been through the fun with the DPS and although it's a long, long, long winded process, many of them turn out to be alright in your dealings with them. Lots of the time they're just as hacked off with the shit that SMT give them to deal with as we are.
Good Luck mate.
rough thing for em to do
i suspect you may even be helping the police at least your telling the truth.
Hold your head up high youve done nothing wrong.
I can honestly say that the humour in your posts has kept me going on some rough nightshifts. Good luck.
It would be a travesty if they managed to discipline you for a blog.
However, I know for a fact that many PSD types treat anonymous comments EXACTLY the same as all other comments, i.e the anonymity is not a defence. They also treat it as a disciplinary just to disagree with the propaganda machine of the police "service".
Hope you have a good rep, and for anyone else in that situation, NEVER, EVER, EVER, agree to discuss ANYTHING disciplinary related without a rep even if they claim it is just a chat.. EVER!!
It would be a travesty if they managed to discipline you for a blog.
However, I know for a fact that many PSD types treat anonymous comments EXACTLY the same as all other comments, i.e the anonymity is not a defence. They also treat it as a disciplinary just to disagree with the propaganda machine of the police "service".
Hope you have a good rep, and for anyone else in that situation, NEVER, EVER, EVER, agree to discuss ANYTHING disciplinary related without a rep even if they claim it is just a chat.. EVER!!
I you need some help, a fighting fund or something, let us know how and we will all pitch in
It's a bit unoriginal, but my own comment is 'good luck'.
Best of luck Brian and remember - don't even let a fart out without your Fed rep there to waft the gas.
Hope to see you back on here soon,
Cod
A someone considering joing the 'service' I found both your and PC Copperfield's posts instuctive and insightful.
Tales of bureaucracy and management indecision have strengthened my resolve to join, rather than dissuaded me, if only so I can get in and fight to change things.
I hope the powers that be see sense and realise that Brian's Brief Encounters and Coppersblog do more to improve the public's perception of policing than any amount of formal PR and realise that blogs like yours are an incredible asset.
Good luck Brian.
dont go brian,
why not contact the daily mail...they like plagerising blogsites.
good luck. We are all rooting for you. DLTBGYD.
Brian,
Good luck, there seem to have been something of a glut of outages of blogs which question the recieved wisdom of our society. Kinda makes me scared to keep writing on my own.
While I don't necessarily agree with eveything you say on your blog I always find it an interesting read and feel it's a pity that the 'thought police' have got to you. An old quote (and one I used in a post about freedom of speach...):
"I may not like what they call me, but I thank God they can. That's ... freedom." (Tony Blair, 2005)
What freedom?
Hello Brian- Another lurker here... time to come out in the open and speak up on your behalf - I find your blog enjoyable and your observations eminently realistic - especially in the manner in which all of us in law enforcement need to vent our feelings about many of the ..hmmm how best to say this..... ironic aspects of what we do. Best of luck, a U.S. fan
There is a special burning place for rubber heelers, and I've got matches and fire-lighters...
I may not [always] agree with what you say, but i will defend to the death your right to say it. (Voltaire)
good luck, they'll be burning books next.
Love the Blog, think it gives a human image to the job of policing and have to add that it is a great shame if others think it does project the wrong image.
Can't believe it and I'll be seriously disappointed if this is the end of the Brief Encounters. What the powers that be in their Ivory Towers don't realise is that officers such as yourself care more about the service and the public than any of them ever will. They care about their own ascent up the greasy pole and sell the police down the river to do so.
Come back soon.
I have always had a healthy respect for frontline officers and you showed the side the public doesn't see. Is their some rule that plod shouldn't be people as well. As they say here in the U.S. - YOU ROCK.
Even if they can your ass just remember (A) You were right all along (B) Civilian jobs for ex cops pay a lot better for a lot less risk (assessment optional)
I agree with another previous reply. Reading your comments has only increased my respect for you and others in your job.
Impact? Well you made most of us laugh at 21st century life that is mostly nasty, gritty and depressing mostly because of the ineffectiveness of those generally lazy souls at HQ and the paper holding wandering sods who have made the art of skyving an artform. What a waste of taxpayers money pursuing a diarist.
Hope they'll see sense and you'll be back soon!
Brian if the powers that be are giving you grief I suggest you tell them where to get off! How did they rumble you for instance and what has it got to do with them in modern Britain what you post on a blog??? Dig you heels in pal, don't let the bastards get you down!
What offences have they collared you for???
Join the union now if you're not already a member.
They're there to support you, in a vaguely chocolate teapotty way.
If you don't fancy your chances with the appointed rep, ask for someone else.
From what I've read (long time lurker), you've done nothing wrong . You may well have infringed some of principals of the "professional standards" in managements' eyes at least. But they are only guidelines, not binding rules.
Slap on the wrist and a stern warning, I'll bet.
This may seem a little trite as I'm not in your size tens, but freedom of speech is enshrined in our common law.
Don't let them get you down mate!
Brian,
You've apparently pi##ed someone, with too much time on their hands, off.
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK
How is 'free speech enshrined in common law' ?????? A lot of countries have constitution (which may or may not permit certain freedoms) This country has no constitution ...........
To any of your superiors - and the "squealer" - who may be reading these comments. My taxes help to pay your salaries; British police are meant to "police by consent"; and in my view blogs like this - provided they do not promote racism, misrepresent facts or condone brutality - help to make the police human and approachable, at the same time compassionate and disciplined, and probably also helps to weaken the corrosive and menacing influence of the "canteen culture".
Why should not British police "blog by consent", too, if they comply with the laws with which the rest of us have to comply (like not being in contempt of court, like not inciting racial hatred) and do not threaten ongoing criminal investigations?
To anonymous, 28/1/06 8:58 AM, this country is a constitutional monarchy and does have an unwritten constitution: "a series of conventions which are respected as a fundamental part of the constitution" (Rozenberg).
Indigo - like I said we have no constitution - it isn't worth the paper its written on ...............
What is going on?
This site has been giving me more a positive view of the police.
I have even taken an interest in the recent politial debate after reading the posts here.
This from someone who normally dislikes the police. This censorship has re-ignited that dislike.
Brian,
As ex Met - and now an ex lurker I must say I have always enjoyed your blog. Brought back many memories both good and of the paperwork kind. After the appropriate ‘risk assessment’ and arse covering exercises, not to mention making sure this message is statistically twisted I find I can safely say that between you and Copperfield the Police Service in the UK has had some of the best free publicity it could ever hope for. I recall seeing many comments from prospective wooden tops, followed up by honest and straightforward answers from you. People have made some really quite nasty comments about the service and between yourself and other commenter’s you have always given the measured reasonable responses one would expect, never having to resort to being unpleasant. Even when I was in the job it was a thoroughly thankless task patterned with occasional moments of knowing you have made a difference, in a way this is simply another way of being able to make that difference and I salute you for it. Don’t let the buggers get you down – now go get that garden tidy !
Brit in Texas
hope your fed has more teeth than ours!
Why don't they put a big hat on and go catch real criminals. They will spend tons of cash on investigating a hard working front line bloke who is just telling it like it is. They realy do like to control our thoughts.
you are a good man, Brian. Arseholes to them!
T.J.F!
Tsk tsk tsk....
Is Sir Ian aware that he is not to spread his opinions so widely across the press --- he might be risking a disciplinary? ;o))
This blog creates an accurate image of the 21st century policing and the current state of the society. Not one of my favourite pictures, however, a bit of humour here and there makes things a lot more bearable.
I have forwarded links to your blog to all of my friends and acquientaces who asked the classic question "why on earth did you choose to work as PC Plod?". This blog has helped people to see all the nuances in modern policing ranging from the rewarding sides to the downright ridiculous administrative burdens we are expected to carry.
I would like to express my thanks to both Brian and Pc Copperfield for their excellent writing and long may they continue!
Just found you link through the policemans blog
great site
dont let the bastards grind you down
long time lurker stepping forward here.
once again the great british police force does its best to boost moral....yeah right.
kind of reminded me of when i offered to attend a recruiting seminar and have a chat with potential joiners. was politely told " no thanks youre a bit too honest"...ah what a job.
keep at it brian fight them every inch then inform then your a victim of coporate bullying and will have to consider taking legal action against the complaints department...see how they like it!
Best of luck.
Anonymous said: I hope the powers that be see sense and realise that Brian's Brief Encounters and Coppersblog do more to improve the public's perception of policing than any amount of formal PR and realise that blogs like yours are an incredible asset.
Aelfwen said: I may not [always] agree with what you say, but i will defend to the death your right to say it.
Ditto.
Your blog and others like it have given us an enormous insight into the people inside the uniforms and I think made most of us more patient and less confused about what you do. No amount of spin doctoring and group hugs can achieve the same effect.
I've also noticed a greater degree of understanding between police bloggers and magistrate bloggers. As you're both on the same side re getting crims off the streets, that can hardly be a bad thing.
Best of luck, mate.
Dont those in so called management have anything better to do.... apparently not...
Hope your situation is resolved to your liking...
as another long term lurker i wanted to show my support
You will get a fine and a diversity course (2 days off) tops mate. String that decorating leave out as long as possible. Just read your stuff out to my tiny demotivated shift and they all loved it. Hope to see you back in the 42bhp diesel driving seat soon.
Well just dont get caught playing loads of golf and running a buildign company...oh hang on, thats for sick leave.
if its an consolation, PSD spent three weeks going through regs trying to prove that we had to call an inspector 'sir'
to this day i still dont know the result.
You're a disgrace to the uniform and clearly not performing your constabulary duties in the serious and thorough manner that the public expects. You are representative of the kind of slipshod, indecisive working practice that has blighted the job since they scrapped the 6" rule and abolished the birch.
You are also, in all probability, one of those wretched fast track graduate officers who sit behind a desk for five years, obstructing the real police work, before suddenly finding themselves installed as Metropolitan Police Commissioner.
And I'll warrant you didn't learn any funny handshakes at Hendon.
If I knew where you lived I'd be round to give you a good seeing to with my replica Blair Peach truncheon.
Where's Sir Robert Mark when you need him?
Ahem....that should read 6' rule.
Bugger.
"as another long term lurker i wanted to show my support"
You keep your support hidden away somewhere private where it should be, thank you very much.
"seriously reflect on the impact and outcomes of some of my statements”?
You are Sir Ian Blair and I claim my £50.
Surely you cannot have had a more "foot-in-mouth" moment than his little outburst (his sentiment was understood, wrong crime to link it too though)...
When Ian Blair says (in relation to the shooting of Menezes) things like we didn't tell the public about the shoot-to-kill policy because they'd have tried to stop it, you really have to welcome any information that gets out in the open. At an even more basic level, the public has a right to know what it's paying for through its taxes.
Brian,
It was almost inevitable really, and I'm sure you've been waiting for it to happen. It's a sad reflection on the nature of our society - becoming more Orwellian by the day.
I do hope they won't use you as some sort of high-profile whipping boy - we (the entire blogging community) are behind you 100%
Brian
I'd love to send some words of encouragment and reassurance.
Just got to fill out the appropriate form and risk assessment first............
If you haven't broken the law, what can they do? Give them hell and the best of luck.
Is it possible for all of your avid readers to get up a campaign on your behalf?
Who should we be sending the complaints to?
Having read most of the highly articulate comiserations above, I'd like to add my weight of support to your cause and wish you well with the following:
What a bunch of wankers.
Take care, and all the best.
raised to distrust the police for years, then read your blog for months and was changing my opinion.
seems like the old gut instinct is right.
properly sad mate.
What a sad indictment of management.
Prior to the reforms of 2000, the Home Office, under the stewardship of 'Blunko' set up forums to encourage points of discussion.
They soon realized that the responses they were getting were not to their liking and, despite assurances that the forums would remain, the last time I looked, very little was left. Having removed the stopper, they are now frantically trying to replace the genie. Except that the 'genie', in the form of the original 'core contributors' has transformed into an alternative identity.
The unruly few are still out there. Still outspoken and dismissive of the idiotic.
You just need to find us.
Long may the genie remain free..
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