Spent today on a 'ridealong'

[julianhj]

As part of my applying to Sussex Police, I arranged to go out on patrol with a mate's brother. Had a great day out with a crew around central Brighton, observed a statement being taken following criminal damage at a guy's home; rushed to the scene of an ABH in the town centre; watched the officers sort the mess out, arrest and book the suspect into custody (he was an ex-copper, no less!), saw statements being taken from witnesses and the victim at the hospital and got a five year old child to safety after he was found wondering alone up and down a main road (parents took TWO HOURS to report him missing after becoming separated in a park!). Read through reports of various wanted offenders, and saw some disturbing reports of child abuse.

I'm more enthusiastic than ever now, despite witnessing the volume of red tape that exists - looking forward to a late shift in the very near future, for a bit of a contrast.




>>> Edited by julianhj on Friday 2nd April 19:48

[V8 Archie]

Glad you enjoyed your day! I have an inestimable appreciation for all plod (and the other emergency services, whether or not they are state funded - I'm thinking of the RNLI here). I don't think I'm up to the job, but I'm very glad that some people are.

On the other hand:

julianhj said:

parents took TWO HOURS to report him missing after becoming separated in a park!

They may have spent that time looking for him rather than distract the police from other matters. I hope they they got him back anyway.

[julianhj]

V8 Archie said:

On the other hand: julianhj said: parents took TWO HOURS to report him missing after becoming separated in a park! They may have spent that time looking for him rather than distract the police from other matters. I hope they they got him back anyway.

Yeah, they were apparently looking for him. The child spoke hardly any English, and was very timid (suprisingly calm too), so we didn't have a lot to go on. All of the officers were suprised it took that long for them to report it though. I saw ten or so notices concerning paedophiles in this morning's bulletin - indecent assaults in the street, attempted abduction, sexual abuse in the home - all reported in the last couple of days in Sussex. I also watched a documentary on the Beeb a day or two back. Scary stuff, they are out there.

Personally I'd be on the phone within 15 minutes if it was my child.

Incidentally, at almost exactly the same time, a three year old went missing from a nursery around a mile from where we were. Must have turned up OK within the hour, because I heard no more about it.


>> Edited by julianhj on Saturday 3rd April 00:52

[V8 Archie]

I see a pattern here... the bad stuff happens rarely. You would have seen/heard a lot because of the position you were in, but you heard nothing about the similar cases (the majority I would wager) where there was no need to worry.

Bad things happen, but there's no need to go mad at the first indication that things aren't 100% as you'd like them.

[julianhj]

Fair point.

[Flat in Fifth]

V8 Archie said:

whether or not they are state funded - I'm thinking of the RNLI here)

Speaking as a member it doesn't half yank my anchor chain when the AA describe themselves as the 4th emergency service. grrrrrr!