Identifying a police officer

[mrmr96]

Say someone dressed as a police officer knocks on your door and shows you a credit card sized object with photo, name and a badge.

What's the most efficient way to determine if they are real police or not? (Assuming you're not familiar with the standard ID card of your local force.)

[Mk3Spitfire]

If you're really not happy, phone 101. They should be able to tell you if it's a cop at your door.

[Cat]

Phone 101 and tell them that someone claiming to be PC Whoever is at your door, they will contact the officer and confirm that it is them at your door.

Cat

[sebhaque]

I was told a few years ago you could also ring 999 if you were concerned about safety (i.e. you got pulled over on a pitch black A-road and the guy at your door didn't look like a policeman) and they'd confirm to you.

Furthermore, I have also heard that if you're in a car and get the B&Ts, you can drive to the nearest police station if you're concerned as to the validity of the car trying to pull you over.

This is all hearsay and isn't necessarily true - would welcome responses from our resident BiBs/those in the know.

[Bigends]

Ring 101 nd ask for the force thats on their warrant card. Force A wont knoe about force B's officers

[mrmr96]

Is the 101 service available 24/7 and is the response/verification time likely to be reasonably prompt if you tell them there's people at your door?

[Mk3Spitfire]

It is 24/7. It can take an age for someone to answer though.
Is this hypothetical, or an actual experience?

[dudleybloke]

Demand trial by combat.

[Digger]

Mk3Spitfire said:

It is 24/7. It can take an age for someone to answer though.
Is this hypothetical, or an actual experience?

What do you think? Go to bed.

[Mk3Spitfire]

Digger said:

What do you think? Go to bed.

Well, it is late I suppose.

[mph1977]

mrmr96 said:

Is the 101 service available 24/7 and is the response/verification time likely to be reasonably prompt if you tell them there's people at your door?

101 is the standard number to contact the Police in the UK, 999 should be reserved for threat to life incidents and serious crimes in progress.

101 and 999 are answered by the same call takers in the same control room with the same access to the police command and control systems and to the senior Officer on Control room duty ( of Inspector rank at least).

[MoggieMinor]

I thought Police uniform etc was hard to get hold of and strictly controlled when used by TV companies etc. A mate of mine had an ex Police Rover 827 and had to remove most of the markings if he wanted to drive it apart from at a show. It was a nice bit of kit at the time actually.

[un1corn]

In fairness, i'd say this would apply more to none-uniform officers.

Im sure someone in a suit could turn up and claim they were a detective.

[Nigel Worc's]

un1corn said:

In fairness, i'd say this would apply more to none-uniform officers.

Im sure someone in a suit could turn up and claim they were a detective.

My thoughts exactly, the only times I was ever asked was by knobs trying to be clever.

Although, as stated, if you're unsure ring 101, as long as it isn't an emergency, (in which case he'll do whatever), a constable will always be willing to wait.

[grumpy52]

Standard security training for drivers of high value loads is if doubt about the
I D of any official (police, VOSA etc ) is lock the doors and phone the police , they will then confirm who they are .
The only person who got the hump was a jumped up VOSA officer who didn't like having to provide his ID .

[Mk3Spitfire]

Got sent to a broken down G4S cash in transit van once. Poor bloke had broken down in the absolute middle of nowhere, in the dead of night, and was on his own. We turned up in fully marked car, full uniform, warrant cards, the lot. The guy still barricaded himself in and wouldn't get out. Recovery truck arrived and it wasn't until the van was on the back of the truck that he finally released himself! Can't blame the bloke at all, so left him be.

[MagneticMeerkat]

I had someone ask me to identify myself once (a long time ago when I did such things for a living). I was wearing a police uniform, including stab vest, kit belt and hat. I was in possession of an obviously working police radio and had got out of a fully marked up police car parked in front of their front door.

I asked them a few questions in relation to some hopeless enquiry about something being stolen; as that was all that ever happened in such rural climes. Still they seemed doubtful and questioned my providence. All I could think of saying in response was: "No, it's a very elaborate fancy dress costume". They took my word for it after that!

[Monkeylegend]

The most effective way is to knock their helmet off and see if you get arrested.