A message to PH from your PH BiB
Discussion
Dear PH
There are a number of BiB, including myself, on SP&L (have a look at the “Roll Call” thread). We post here in our own time, because we do actually care about the people we police. While we try and give good advice, and “tell it how it is”, we also have to be aware that our posts are not just monitored by others on PH, but by our respective discipline and complaints departments.
All Police have a number of restrictions on their private lives. There may be occasions when we strongly disagree with policy or procedure, but are effectively prevented from saying anything because of the long term consequences to our careers. In fact, PetrolTed has previously been asked to identify some of us on an official basis. Sometimes the PH BiB lack of response to a topic is not because we agree with the “police” side, but because to disagree would put us in jeopardy.
Of course, if we disagreed that much, then we could always resign…
…but wouldn’t you rather have real serving BiB, who know what the job is about, rather than some PR spin merchant? If we were all to resign, there would be no one left to challenge the system, or make suggestions on how to make it better.
Much of what we say does not reflect official policy; sometimes, it even goes against it. Sometimes what we say will not be what you want to hear, but we are always truthful.
We are often faced with real danger, and come here for a bit of light relief. We will happily debate with other posters, and we’d rather walk away from the keyboard when it becomes too personal. But we are only human, and sometimes, even when we shouldn’t, we’ll bite back.
The PH BiB accept that there are bad apples in the BiB barrel. We accept that Police will also make mistakes “out on the street” = sometimes through error or omission, sometimes through malice. We also expect the “rest” of PH to understand that no organisation or system is perfect, but we do try our hardest.
If you have a particular complaint against a particular officer who has dealt with you, then complain through the correct channels – their direct supervisor, the Force’s complaints department or the Independent Police Complaints Commission. By all means, come on here and ask for advice, but don’t be surprised if this advice is repeated, or surprised if we say that there are two sides to every story (there usually are, and the truth usually lies somewhere in between).
Thank you
Dibble and the PH BiB
There are a number of BiB, including myself, on SP&L (have a look at the “Roll Call” thread). We post here in our own time, because we do actually care about the people we police. While we try and give good advice, and “tell it how it is”, we also have to be aware that our posts are not just monitored by others on PH, but by our respective discipline and complaints departments.
All Police have a number of restrictions on their private lives. There may be occasions when we strongly disagree with policy or procedure, but are effectively prevented from saying anything because of the long term consequences to our careers. In fact, PetrolTed has previously been asked to identify some of us on an official basis. Sometimes the PH BiB lack of response to a topic is not because we agree with the “police” side, but because to disagree would put us in jeopardy.
Of course, if we disagreed that much, then we could always resign…
…but wouldn’t you rather have real serving BiB, who know what the job is about, rather than some PR spin merchant? If we were all to resign, there would be no one left to challenge the system, or make suggestions on how to make it better.
Much of what we say does not reflect official policy; sometimes, it even goes against it. Sometimes what we say will not be what you want to hear, but we are always truthful.
We are often faced with real danger, and come here for a bit of light relief. We will happily debate with other posters, and we’d rather walk away from the keyboard when it becomes too personal. But we are only human, and sometimes, even when we shouldn’t, we’ll bite back.
The PH BiB accept that there are bad apples in the BiB barrel. We accept that Police will also make mistakes “out on the street” = sometimes through error or omission, sometimes through malice. We also expect the “rest” of PH to understand that no organisation or system is perfect, but we do try our hardest.
If you have a particular complaint against a particular officer who has dealt with you, then complain through the correct channels – their direct supervisor, the Force’s complaints department or the Independent Police Complaints Commission. By all means, come on here and ask for advice, but don’t be surprised if this advice is repeated, or surprised if we say that there are two sides to every story (there usually are, and the truth usually lies somewhere in between).
Thank you
Dibble and the PH BiB
Edited by Dibble on Sunday 10th February 15:18
A well written post which is unfortunately necessary due to some people being incapable of thinking past their next rant.
Dibble and others. Your input here and out in the real world is appreciated by the majority of PH and the public. I'm sure you won't anyway but please don't take the ravings of the usual suspects as an indication of the feelings of the majority.
Dibble and others. Your input here and out in the real world is appreciated by the majority of PH and the public. I'm sure you won't anyway but please don't take the ravings of the usual suspects as an indication of the feelings of the majority.
ZR1cliff said:
Well said Dibble, whilst I don't always agree with the policies of some of the BiB I can see you have a very difficult job in communicating with the public, such are the diverse ways of thinking 
, something I indeed have found dealing with the general public myself in my own job. specially when they are p155ed. I have great respect for yourself and your colleagues who post on this forum and take the time to try to paint an equal side to things. Thanks.
, something I indeed have found dealing with the general public myself in my own job. specially when they are p155ed. I have great respect for yourself and your colleagues who post on this forum and take the time to try to paint an equal side to things. Thanks.
I'm not a serving officer, having retired after 30 years in 2005. I'm enjoying my retirement - I wish I could have done it 30 years ago.
However, I miss the work. I enjoyed doing something that I thought worthwhile and that, at least towards the end, I believe I was quite good at. I accept that there was a certain conceit in the fact that I enjoyed being 'important'; being in charge of major incidents in the initial stages, giving press releases and many times helping to ensure that senior officers did not make errors under th pressure of real time.
I was in charge of a supposed hijacking of a plane at Gatwick, a nuclear leak in the same area, a sailing boat with 50-odd kids being blown on shore in a gale, lots of pursuits and even more exciting firearms incidents. I once was instrumental in grounding a 767 for four days due to the operator not being completely honest with the AAIB.
One thing I did know was the law, and I feel that, in certain circumstances, I can be of help on these forums and am happy to do so. I do get irritated by posters who think there is some great conspiracy amongst the police (I couldn't even get my shift to walk in the same direction) to persecute the public when my experience is that police will stick there necks out and risk their careers when they feel it necessary.
As said by the op, there are corrupt and dishonest officers but they are as likely to be exposed by other officers as by anyone else. From my experience of other professions, the police have nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, just the reverse. I accept, however, that the very strict discipline regs and enforcement has a lot to do with it. Mind you, the discipline dept could concentrate more on serious offences.
So I'm proud of the work I did but accept that nothing is perfect and I also accept that the police should accept criticism when they deserve it.
But it should be done reasonably. If it would be out of order to say it to a police officer's face in a pub, then you shouldn't write that way. Some of the language used here would have made me walk away in a pub chat. So, if you don't want the police to walk away from this forum, use a bit of sense and be polite.
However, I miss the work. I enjoyed doing something that I thought worthwhile and that, at least towards the end, I believe I was quite good at. I accept that there was a certain conceit in the fact that I enjoyed being 'important'; being in charge of major incidents in the initial stages, giving press releases and many times helping to ensure that senior officers did not make errors under th pressure of real time.
I was in charge of a supposed hijacking of a plane at Gatwick, a nuclear leak in the same area, a sailing boat with 50-odd kids being blown on shore in a gale, lots of pursuits and even more exciting firearms incidents. I once was instrumental in grounding a 767 for four days due to the operator not being completely honest with the AAIB.
One thing I did know was the law, and I feel that, in certain circumstances, I can be of help on these forums and am happy to do so. I do get irritated by posters who think there is some great conspiracy amongst the police (I couldn't even get my shift to walk in the same direction) to persecute the public when my experience is that police will stick there necks out and risk their careers when they feel it necessary.
As said by the op, there are corrupt and dishonest officers but they are as likely to be exposed by other officers as by anyone else. From my experience of other professions, the police have nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, just the reverse. I accept, however, that the very strict discipline regs and enforcement has a lot to do with it. Mind you, the discipline dept could concentrate more on serious offences.
So I'm proud of the work I did but accept that nothing is perfect and I also accept that the police should accept criticism when they deserve it.
But it should be done reasonably. If it would be out of order to say it to a police officer's face in a pub, then you shouldn't write that way. Some of the language used here would have made me walk away in a pub chat. So, if you don't want the police to walk away from this forum, use a bit of sense and be polite.
I cannot complain at all about the sentiments above.
I guess public perception of policing is all about the direction the police are taking rather than the individual officers concerned.
Right now you are between a rock and a hard place. I have nothing negative to say about anyone who takes on the responsibility to deal with the misfits, thieves , criminals , murderers etc.
Of course now you are in a bad place , between public perception and government intervention. I can however see the corner approaching now that official reports are beginning to reflect the concerns we as public have felt for some time.
Unfortunately you will get people venting their spleens on here because in the 'democracy' we have in this country you would be no better dealing with the authorities than you would trying to put out a bonfire with a water pistol.
With basic human right of free speech being eroded at every step then the internet will remain at least for a short while the only place left to make ones feelings heard. You as Bib have even admitted that you don't even have the luxury as we have to tell your honest opinions.
I have noticed more and more Bib bashing threads. The recent thread about the police confiscating a vehicle due to a supposed invalid licence unfortunately shows why we as public are becoming fed up.
Yes it wasn't the fault of the police. The error was made by the DVLA but in the circumstance if dealing with any other organisation wouldn't you have expected them to do the following.
Apologise, waive the fees and spend their time and money getting the vehicle returned.
.. but thats another story.
I guess public perception of policing is all about the direction the police are taking rather than the individual officers concerned.
Right now you are between a rock and a hard place. I have nothing negative to say about anyone who takes on the responsibility to deal with the misfits, thieves , criminals , murderers etc.
Of course now you are in a bad place , between public perception and government intervention. I can however see the corner approaching now that official reports are beginning to reflect the concerns we as public have felt for some time.
Unfortunately you will get people venting their spleens on here because in the 'democracy' we have in this country you would be no better dealing with the authorities than you would trying to put out a bonfire with a water pistol.
With basic human right of free speech being eroded at every step then the internet will remain at least for a short while the only place left to make ones feelings heard. You as Bib have even admitted that you don't even have the luxury as we have to tell your honest opinions.
I have noticed more and more Bib bashing threads. The recent thread about the police confiscating a vehicle due to a supposed invalid licence unfortunately shows why we as public are becoming fed up.
Yes it wasn't the fault of the police. The error was made by the DVLA but in the circumstance if dealing with any other organisation wouldn't you have expected them to do the following.
Apologise, waive the fees and spend their time and money getting the vehicle returned.
.. but thats another story.
to Dibble for sticking his head above the parapet, and to all BiB who post on PH.We don't have to agree with you all of the time, but we do appreciate your input and insight.
I have made friends with PHers who just happened to be BiB, and i appreciate those friendships.
PH would be a worse place without you.
Cheers, David
Dibble said:
While we try and give good advice, and “tell it how it is”, we also have to be aware that our posts are not just monitored by others on PH, but by our respective discipline and complaints departments.
In fact, PetrolTed has previously been asked to identify some of us on an official basis.
In fact, PetrolTed has previously been asked to identify some of us on an official basis.
Tell us more DibsSheriff JWPepper said:
Dibble said:
While we try and give good advice, and “tell it how it is”, we also have to be aware that our posts are not just monitored by others on PH, but by our respective discipline and complaints departments.
In fact, PetrolTed has previously been asked to identify some of us on an official basis.
In fact, PetrolTed has previously been asked to identify some of us on an official basis.
Tell us more DibsWhat I can tell you is that as a result of the posting, I had a "stand up meeting (without coffee)" with the BCU Chief Superintendent. Which was exactly as much fun as you'd expect.
I am a fairly recent member of PH and I was surprised to see the amount of BiB bashing that goes on. As Dibble said, there are a few bad apples in the BiB, but the vast majority are good apples! Everyone makes mistakes, but as a Police officer you have chosen a career that is in the public spotlight, any other career and no one would give a hoot.
Hats off to all fellow BiBs
Hats off to all fellow BiBs
Dibble said:
Sheriff JWPepper said:
Dibble said:
While we try and give good advice, and “tell it how it is”, we also have to be aware that our posts are not just monitored by others on PH, but by our respective discipline and complaints departments.
In fact, PetrolTed has previously been asked to identify some of us on an official basis.
In fact, PetrolTed has previously been asked to identify some of us on an official basis.
Tell us more DibsWhat I can tell you is that as a result of the posting, I had a "stand up meeting (without coffee)" with the BCU Chief Superintendent. Which was exactly as much fun as you'd expect.
Sheriff JWPepper said:
Dibble said:
While we try and give good advice, and “tell it how it is”, we also have to be aware that our posts are not just monitored by others on PH, but by our respective discipline and complaints departments.
In fact, PetrolTed has previously been asked to identify some of us on an official basis.
In fact, PetrolTed has previously been asked to identify some of us on an official basis.
Tell us more DibsI know im often plod bashing on here but i'll take this thread to say thanks to all for what you do & for taking the time to come on here & explain it. my bashing is aimed at the organisation not individual officers & i suspect a lot of you have the same thoughts from time to time.
The Tuscan Rat said:
E1DJH said:
I have made friends with PHers who just happened to be BiB, and i appreciate those friendships.
Yes, about that drive back from The National Motor Museum......Edited by The Tuscan Rat on Sunday 10th February 19:22
That was possibly the funniest moment on a TR.Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff