Chief Constable becomes a Victim of Crime
Chief Constable becomes a Victim of Crime
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XMG5

Original Poster:

1,082 posts

258 months

Friday 7th September 2007
quotequote all
Courtesy of Aunty Beeb's web site today....

Chief constable's briefcase taken

It is the second time Mr Todd has been a victim of crime
A briefcase containing documents and personal items has been stolen from the boot of a chief constable's car.
Raiders also made off with a uniform and a side-handle baton belonging to the Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, Mike Todd.

The raid took place outside his flat in Manchester city centre on Monday. No items of a "sensitive nature" were taken, a police spokesman said.

In 2002, burglars stole electrical equipment from Mr Todd's flat.

'No laptop'

A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said: "At about 2315 BST on Monday, a car being used by the chief constable was broken into in a Manchester city centre car park.

"Stolen from the boot of the car were items of uniform and a briefcase.

"The briefcase contained papers and personal items. There were no items of a personal or a sensitive nature stolen and no laptop computer was stolen."

The spokesman said Mr Todd would not be commenting on the incident.

Not long after Mr Todd joined the force in 2002 he returned to his Manchester flat to find a window had been broken and a small amount of electrical equipment taken.

Some of Mr Todd's neighbours were also burgled recently but it was not thought his home was specifically targeted.

Mr Todd joined Greater Manchester Police in October 2002 from the Metropolitan Police.


The question is...what is the CC doing with a side-handle baton off duty and is it an offensive weapon in the circumstances (eh, that's two questions...sorry).

After all, the baton is intended for "protection" and "assault" two words that go hand in glove for most 'protection aids' found in scrotes cars and resulting in arrest...indeed the "it's for my own protection" is the ultimate cough when questioned about the claw hammer, baseball bat or kitchen knife under the car seat.scratchchin





Edited because I can't speel

Edited by XMG5 on Friday 7th September 08:35

Chrispy Porker

17,741 posts

259 months

Friday 7th September 2007
quotequote all
I agree he was daft to leave it in the car, but there is no reason he should not have it off duty.
I often used to cary my ASP off duty, especially if I had an early start the next morning and my destination was miles from my locker........
Or would you prefer officers spent hours of duty time driving around collecting their equipment....

XMG5

Original Poster:

1,082 posts

258 months

Friday 7th September 2007
quotequote all
Chrispy Porker said:
I agree he was daft to leave it in the car, but there is no reason he should not have it off duty.
I often used to cary my ASP off duty, especially if I had an early start the next morning and my destination was miles from my locker........
Or would you prefer officers spent hours of duty time driving around collecting their equipment....
Not at all, I am just wondering whether the law relating to possessing an offencive weapon in a public place allows the police officer to be in possession of his baton when not engaged in police duty. If the baton is being carried in his car, off duty, why isn't it an offensive weapon?

I'm not sure that the ASP is any different. Convenience is not a defence IMHO. When we were off duty our CS Spray had to be clipped to the inside of our secure (locked) changing room locker.

As the side-handle baton and ASP are intended for assault to 'subdue' and/or for self defence, then I would be interested to know what allows for their possession off duty and away from the job.

Perhaps someone with legal training can clarify the exceptions that may apply? If indeed there are any? scratchchin

Edited by XMG5 on Friday 7th September 09:37

Bing o

15,184 posts

250 months

Friday 7th September 2007
quotequote all
XMG5 said:
Not at all, I am just wondering whether the law relating to possessing an offencive weapon in a public place allows the police officer to be in possession of his baton when not engaged in police duty. If the baton is being carried in his car, off duty, why isn't it an offensive weapon?
But you'd expect an off duty copper to jump in if a crime was happening (and I believe that'd be in teh poop if they didn't?

Besides, I doubt a CC's been baton charging hoodies for a good few years smile

Chrispy Porker

17,741 posts

259 months

Friday 7th September 2007
quotequote all
well it all goes down to 'lawful authority' - I would argue that. Or 'reasonable excuse' - the circs I have described also cover that.

The point is daft really. When I was issued with a truncheon at the stores and had to take it to Training school in Dorset, I did this in my own time, off duty.

Are you suggesting I acted illegally before day one of training?

the point with CS is that it is a firearm rather than purely an 'offensive weapon' therefore is treated differently.

10 Pence Short

32,880 posts

248 months

Friday 7th September 2007
quotequote all
XMG5 said:
Raiders also made off with a uniform and a side-handle baton belonging to the Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, Mike Todd.


When was Brunstrom appointed CC? scratchchin

XMG5

Original Poster:

1,082 posts

258 months

Friday 7th September 2007
quotequote all
Chrispy Porker said:
well it all goes down to 'lawful authority' - I would argue that. Or 'reasonable excuse' - the circs I have described also cover that.

The point is daft really. When I was issued with a truncheon at the stores and had to take it to Training school in Dorset, I did this in my own time, off duty.

Are you suggesting I acted illegally before day one of training?

the point with CS is that it is a firearm rather than purely an 'offensive weapon' therefore is treated differently.
Mmm good point. But just wondering that's all.rolleyes

Mr_annie_vxr

9,270 posts

242 months

Friday 7th September 2007
quotequote all
As police officers are not ever 'off duty' and depending on role requirements then equipment may be at home or in your car as your travelling between stations or if your working somewhere different each day. I sometimes have all my iit at home as I work from multiple sites.

As such no specific offence, however should you use such items in a road rage incident or outside your line of duty then it would be a huge aggravating factor. Police officers as you well know have certain exemptions due to the nature of the role.

XMG5

Original Poster:

1,082 posts

258 months

Friday 7th September 2007
quotequote all
Bing o said:
XMG5 said:
Not at all, I am just wondering whether the law relating to possessing an offencive weapon in a public place allows the police officer to be in possession of his baton when not engaged in police duty. If the baton is being carried in his car, off duty, why isn't it an offensive weapon?
But you'd expect an off duty copper to jump in if a crime was happening (and I believe that'd be in teh poop if they didn't?

Besides, I doubt a CC's been baton charging hoodies for a good few years smile
I'm surprised he's got one, let alone knows how to use it. But I suspect it's handier and easier to justiy than a baseball bat. Shame about all those little badges on it from places he's visited though.biglaugh

Edited by XMG5 on Friday 7th September 09:53

Chrispy Porker

17,741 posts

259 months

Friday 7th September 2007
quotequote all
The cuffs can come in handy at times as well.
Or so I am told.

XMG5

Original Poster:

1,082 posts

258 months

Friday 7th September 2007
quotequote all
Mr_annie_vxr said:
As police officers are not ever 'off duty' and depending on role requirements then equipment may be at home or in your car as your travelling between stations or if your working somewhere different each day. I sometimes have all my iit at home as I work from multiple sites.

As such no specific offence, however should you use such items in a road rage incident or outside your line of duty then it would be a huge aggravating factor. Police officers as you well know have certain exemptions due to the nature of the role.
Damn it!! Another good point! boxedin

Jasandjules

72,674 posts

260 months

Friday 7th September 2007
quotequote all
Chrispy Porker said:
well it all goes down to 'lawful authority' - I would argue that. Or 'reasonable excuse' - the circs I have described also cover that.
A copper will easily have a reasonable excuse to carry what would otherwise be offensive weapons as they are expected to tackle crooks even when "off duty".

lgw

305 posts

241 months

Friday 7th September 2007
quotequote all
You don’t honestly believe coppers jump in when off duty ?

Jasandjules

72,674 posts

260 months

Friday 7th September 2007
quotequote all
lgw said:
You don’t honestly believe coppers jump in when off duty ?
I've seen it happen. That is what a warrant card is for I reckon... I also heard recently about some copper who got knifed when he did step in when off duty so he didn't have his body armour on...

vonhosen

40,597 posts

248 months

Friday 7th September 2007
quotequote all
lgw said:
You don’t honestly believe coppers jump in when off duty ?
They can get disciplined where they don't.

s2art

18,942 posts

284 months

Friday 7th September 2007
quotequote all
Chrispy Porker said:
The cuffs can come in handy at times as well.
Or so I am told.
Yesss, what you get up to in the privacy of your bedroom is your business.

Chrispy Porker

17,741 posts

259 months

Friday 7th September 2007
quotequote all
lgw said:
You don’t honestly believe coppers jump in when off duty ?
I have.
On several occasions.

Jules360

1,949 posts

233 months

Friday 7th September 2007
quotequote all
vonhosen said:
lgw said:
You don’t honestly believe coppers jump in when off duty ?
They can get disciplined where they don't.
Which is surely wrong ... no MOP is expected to, which is what you guys are when off duty, right ??

MrsMiggins

2,867 posts

266 months

Saturday 8th September 2007
quotequote all
Police, at all times, should maintain a relationship with the public that gives reality to the historic tradition that the police are the public and the public are the police; the police being only members of the public who are paid to give full-time attention to duties which are incumbent on every citizen in the interests of community welfare and existence.

vonhosen

40,597 posts

248 months

Saturday 8th September 2007
quotequote all
Jules360 said:
vonhosen said:
lgw said:
You don’t honestly believe coppers jump in when off duty ?
They can get disciplined where they don't.
Which is surely wrong ... no MOP is expected to, which is what you guys are when off duty, right ??
You are always a Police Officer, until the warrant card is given up.