Abuse of authority or opportune moment?
Discussion
Gwent Police traffic sgt pulls over Olympian Geraint Thomas for a selfie on double yellows.
http://www.sunmotors.co.uk/news/olympic-cycling-st...
http://www.sunmotors.co.uk/news/olympic-cycling-st...
Stellartois said:
Gwent Police traffic sgt pulls over Olympian Geraint Thomas for a selfie on double yellows.
http://www.sunmotors.co.uk/news/olympic-cycling-st...
Scum. Should be fired. Total disgrace and an unforgivable act of blatant disregard for everything the police stand for.http://www.sunmotors.co.uk/news/olympic-cycling-st...
Elroy Blue said:
What we need are those Robocop type things that show no human emotion or interest whatsoever. They also provide the added benefit of not needing to eat or sleep ever.
This.Saw a prototype model once and it looked great. Had a funny squeak when it walked though so was always up at HQ being fixed.
Years ago I got pulled over early one morning whilst out for a blast in my Concourse Escort Mexico. Turned out the coppers just wanted to have good look at the car as the driver was a rally fan (this was the 80's). We had a bloody good chat about Escorts and rally cars in general and just how good these AWD upstarts were then we went on our way with grins on faces. I was more than happy to spend some time chatting to a fellow fan copper on duty or not and it was a very pleasant copper/mop interaction. So I for one support this kind of human interaction as it is far far better than the Them and Us attitude in some countries I can tell you.
Greendubber said:
I genuinely think it's taking the piss. Stopping someone going about their daily business for the purpose of a selfie is ridiculous.
If you happen to see someone and have a chat fair enough but don't pull them over to do it.
It's certainly not something I'd do. Nor have I ever asked for the autograph of any of the 'famous' people I've had sat in the back of the car on the m/way (although some had to tell me they were famous). I find the whole 'selfie' thing a bit tedious as well. But people say they want Police to be 'human'. Has this guy really done something that warrants an investigation by his Force.If you happen to see someone and have a chat fair enough but don't pull them over to do it.
Pablo68 said:
Years ago I got pulled over early one morning whilst out for a blast in my Concourse Escort Mexico. Turned out the coppers just wanted to have good look at the car as the driver was a rally fan (this was the 80's). We had a bloody good chat about Escorts and rally cars in general and just how good these AWD upstarts were then we went on our way with grins on faces. I was more than happy to spend some time chatting to a fellow fan copper on duty or not and it was a very pleasant copper/mop interaction. So I for one support this kind of human interaction as it is far far better than the Them and Us attitude in some countries I can tell you.
You are not famous, this guy is. He probably gets it all the time and the police certainly should't be hassling him to do it. Elroy Blue said:
It's certainly not something I'd do. Nor have I ever asked for the autograph of any of the 'famous' people I've had sat in the back of the car on the m/way (although some had to tell me they were famous). I find the whole 'selfie' thing a bit tedious as well. But people say they want Police to be 'human'. Has this guy really done something that warrants an investigation by his Force.
If I was flagging down police cars, or calling 999 to get a selfie with a police man I am pretty sure they wouldn't see it as "human". The bloke was trying to do his job. The fact that he had a support car tells you he wasn't having a jolly to the shops. What if the cyclist had fallen off his bike when the blue lights came on, what if his muscles had cooled down when he stopped and he got an injury. It's not very professional is it. I don't think that there needs to be an investigation - but I don't think I'd be very happy if I was being pulled over for a look around my car or for a photo. However to day there is nothing wrong with it, is a bit of a let off. He was a bit daft at worst.
What is he going to do next... Pull over the local councillor to talk about his parking tickets?
AGK said:
I see plenty folk on nights out hustling the cops for a selfie whilst wearing their hats.
We're all human.
Would you think it was okay if they were perfectly sober and followed a Policeman on a bike down the road flashing their light and hooting their horn to get him to pull over for a selfie with the hat on? We're all human.
The fact is, he was doing his job and training. And he had no choice not to stop. He doesn't seem either overly angry or overly upset about it from his tweets.
I don't think it's the crime of the century - and I certainly don't think that it's worthy of any form of investigation. But I do think the Police should not be pulling over drivers or cyclists to take photo's with them. A light hearted comment if they are around the person is fine, but to use special police powers to do that, is clearly an abuse of their position.
Elroy Blue said:
It's certainly not something I'd do. Nor have I ever asked for the autograph of any of the 'famous' people I've had sat in the back of the car on the m/way (although some had to tell me they were famous). I find the whole 'selfie' thing a bit tedious as well. But people say they want Police to be 'human'. Has this guy really done something that warrants an investigation by his Force.
Using the forces time and vehicle and abusing his position to stop the guy to allow him to get a picture I think deserves a chat without coffee. I'm not saying hang him but jesus some people are stupid.Greendubber said:
Elroy Blue said:
It's certainly not something I'd do. Nor have I ever asked for the autograph of any of the 'famous' people I've had sat in the back of the car on the m/way (although some had to tell me they were famous). I find the whole 'selfie' thing a bit tedious as well. But people say they want Police to be 'human'. Has this guy really done something that warrants an investigation by his Force.
Using the forces time and vehicle and abusing his position to stop the guy to allow him to get a picture I think deserves a chat without coffee. I'm not saying hang him but jesus some people are stupid.It just baffles me that there's things like Alan HEMMINGS and that poor little 15yr old girl going on, and people a)feel the need to put crap like this in the papers, and b) feel the need to go and put it on a websites like this with, lets face it...only one purpose in mind.
photosnob said:
If I was flagging down police cars, or calling 999 to get a selfie with a police man I am pretty sure they wouldn't see it as "human".
When I worked in the City of London I had my photograph taken in front of the Central Criminal Court dozens of time. I've been in the photographs of brides leaving St Paul's Cathederal. Dozens of kids have worn my helmet for a photograph.Outside the Tower of London a mother asked if her kids could have his photograph taken inside our police van. It generated requests from four or five other families.
Parked outside Big Ben on New Years Eve, just before midnight, we must have been in dozens of tourist photographs.
At Brighton, I was in dozens, that's literally dozens, of photographs with bikini-clad girls in and around Palace Pier or perhaps when patrolling 'the Lower'.
If I had refused, or rebuffed their requests, I feel certain that my sergeant would tell me to get over myself. Not bad advice.
I was asked to stand on the top steps of St Paul's between the bride and groom and then I was asked by the photographer to kiss the bride. Which I did. Of course I did. It's being human, it is being approachable, it is being part of tghe community.
Derek Smith said:
When I worked in the City of London I had my photograph taken in front of the Central Criminal Court dozens of time. I've been in the photographs of brides leaving St Paul's Cathederal. Dozens of kids have worn my helmet for a photograph.
Outside the Tower of London a mother asked if her kids could have his photograph taken inside our police van. It generated requests from four or five other families.
Parked outside Big Ben on New Years Eve, just before midnight, we must have been in dozens of tourist photographs.
At Brighton, I was in dozens, that's literally dozens, of photographs with bikini-clad girls in and around Palace Pier or perhaps when patrolling 'the Lower'.
If I had refused, or rebuffed their requests, I feel certain that my sergeant would tell me to get over myself. Not bad advice.
I was asked to stand on the top steps of St Paul's between the bride and groom and then I was asked by the photographer to kiss the bride. Which I did. Of course I did. It's being human, it is being approachable, it is being part of tghe community.
I'm not asking the police to behave any better or worst than a member of the public. If the bloke was just out having a walk then fine ask. However pulling him over when he's working (the support car...) for a photo is taking the micheal. You had a choice to stop and take those photos, he was obeying an order when he was trying to train.Outside the Tower of London a mother asked if her kids could have his photograph taken inside our police van. It generated requests from four or five other families.
Parked outside Big Ben on New Years Eve, just before midnight, we must have been in dozens of tourist photographs.
At Brighton, I was in dozens, that's literally dozens, of photographs with bikini-clad girls in and around Palace Pier or perhaps when patrolling 'the Lower'.
If I had refused, or rebuffed their requests, I feel certain that my sergeant would tell me to get over myself. Not bad advice.
I was asked to stand on the top steps of St Paul's between the bride and groom and then I was asked by the photographer to kiss the bride. Which I did. Of course I did. It's being human, it is being approachable, it is being part of tghe community.
If you honestly think that's perfectly acceptable, then how would you feel if someone had of stood in front of your police car made you get out and then ask for a photo, when you had other stuff to do?
I've said I don't think it's the crime of the century. I don't even particularly think he should get into trouble for it. However I am shocked that most of the police on here can't see the problem with pulling over their favourite celebrities for a chat whilst both parties should be working.
Maybe a little less than professional, but don't really see how it's a problem unless the cyclist thinks it is. Certainly not worth more than a quiet word to think first in future.
If he'd felt inconvenienced or harrassed by it enough to complain then it would be a different atter, but it appears that he found it amusing
If he'd felt inconvenienced or harrassed by it enough to complain then it would be a different atter, but it appears that he found it amusing
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