Surrounded by PCSOs ... but then a proper copper arrived
Discussion
On my journey home this evening I witnessed a youth stopped by a PCSO in a mainline railway station. The youth was IC1 and fairly well dressed (no 'hoodie'), was not acting aggressively or in any other way seemingly to attract attention, nor was he giving any lip.
However, the PCSO called on his radio for his mates. Two came at the run and boxed in the youth (who was making no attempt to run). A fourth PCSO sauntered up (with a beaker of coffe in his hand).
The four PCSOs then started being 'forthright' with the youth, leaning in towards him, raising their voices and jabbing towards him with fingers. From my (close) position I saw no reason for this. They just seemed to be trying to wind the lad up. To his credit, he did not respond in kind.
As I was contemplating approaching and asking for their collar numbers, lo and behold, that modern-day rarity, the uniformed copper appeared (BTP, but so what?). I accosted him instead and suggested that he might like to see what the Blunkett Boobies (I didn't call them that to his face) were up to.
"Oh, bl00dy h3ll, what trouble are they causing now?" he asked (rhetorically). "I wouldn't trust them to open the train doors without a manual!"
He went right over to them and ordered three of them away before speaking to the fourth and the youth.
At that point I had to catch my train.
I'm still chuckling about what the real (well, BTP) BiB said.
Streaky
However, the PCSO called on his radio for his mates. Two came at the run and boxed in the youth (who was making no attempt to run). A fourth PCSO sauntered up (with a beaker of coffe in his hand).
The four PCSOs then started being 'forthright' with the youth, leaning in towards him, raising their voices and jabbing towards him with fingers. From my (close) position I saw no reason for this. They just seemed to be trying to wind the lad up. To his credit, he did not respond in kind.
As I was contemplating approaching and asking for their collar numbers, lo and behold, that modern-day rarity, the uniformed copper appeared (BTP, but so what?). I accosted him instead and suggested that he might like to see what the Blunkett Boobies (I didn't call them that to his face) were up to.
"Oh, bl00dy h3ll, what trouble are they causing now?" he asked (rhetorically). "I wouldn't trust them to open the train doors without a manual!"
He went right over to them and ordered three of them away before speaking to the fourth and the youth.
At that point I had to catch my train.
I'm still chuckling about what the real (well, BTP) BiB said.
Streaky
Plotloss said:
Dwight VanDriver said:
Just wonder Streaky if you had been aware that that person had been circulated/identified as kiddie fiddling on the Station you would be of the same opine?
Would such a report be handled by a PCSO?Just curious.
Plotloss said:
Dwight VanDriver said:
Just wonder Streaky if you had been aware that that person had been circulated/identified as kiddie fiddling on the Station you would be of the same opine?
Would such a report be handled by a PCSO?Just curious.
....and don't forget they DO have Power of Arrest. Ask any Citizen.
dvd
Edited by Dwight VanDriver on Thursday 7th February 08:46
I was watching one of those "Police Road Stop Wars" programs the other week, and it showed a PCSO chasing a woman who she had identified as wanted under a warrant, who ran off, leaving her toddler behind. The PSCO said she could not arrest or restrain the woman, and had to follow her until the Police arrived.
Why is it that a store detective can stop you, as can a citizen's arrest, but a PSCO cannot? And does anyone want a chocolate teapot?
Why is it that a store detective can stop you, as can a citizen's arrest, but a PSCO cannot? And does anyone want a chocolate teapot?
Dwight VanDriver said:
Plotloss said:
Dwight VanDriver said:
Just wonder Streaky if you had been aware that that person had been circulated/identified as kiddie fiddling on the Station you would be of the same opine?
Would such a report be handled by a PCSO?Just curious.
dvd
Other than a bloody nuisance, obviously.
Streaky's observation seems to back up one of the concerns with PCSOs in that they attract the 'failed police applicant' that previously would have gone onto be a churlish night guard in an office block.
Fer said:
I was watching one of those "Police Road Stop Wars" programs the other week, and it showed a PCSO chasing a woman who she had identified as wanted under a warrant, who ran off, leaving her toddler behind. The PSCO said she could not arrest or restrain the woman, and had to follow her until the Police arrived.
Why is it that a store detective can stop you, as can a citizen's arrest, but a PSCO cannot? And does anyone want a chocolate teapot?
There are a lot of bad points to PCSOs but also some good ones. I agree it is a bit silly they can't detain people, but then that is not what they are there for. They are a 'non contact' role, most forces PCSOs do not have any personal protection equipment (PPE) and they do not wear stab vests (although Met PCSOs do have handcuffs). With out all the proper kit, I would not want to chase and apprehend people, what if they turn on you and you're unarmed? PCSOs are not trained to do this sort of thing, perhaps they should be?Why is it that a store detective can stop you, as can a citizen's arrest, but a PSCO cannot? And does anyone want a chocolate teapot?
However there is a lot they can do to help police officers, dealing with other enquiries, taking statements, all of which takes a lot of time and can help put an officer back on the street instead of tying him/her up in the office.
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