Verbally Abusing Plod
Discussion
A recent comment by a PH copper asking me why I didn't call a policeman who attempted to charge with dangeours driving a pr
ck to his face rather than on PH got me thinking... I understand that it is actually an offence to swear at a police officer, so quite apart from being rude and certainly asking for trouble in that I'm sure my car would have been checked for any possible fault, would I have been in bovver? What constitutes commiting such an offence - are certain words OK?
I know a guy (ego on legs
) who called a policeman a semi-literate moron when pulled over but nothing was done about it other than the speeding ticket he was being issued anyway.
ck to his face rather than on PH got me thinking... I understand that it is actually an offence to swear at a police officer, so quite apart from being rude and certainly asking for trouble in that I'm sure my car would have been checked for any possible fault, would I have been in bovver? What constitutes commiting such an offence - are certain words OK? I know a guy (ego on legs
) who called a policeman a semi-literate moron when pulled over but nothing was done about it other than the speeding ticket he was being issued anyway.A lot depends on where you are and the police officer in question...
As BiB are human (true
) different Bobbies have different tollerance levels...
I've known many drivers start on a course of actions that they wish they hadn't. Ending up being arrested for a public order offence, several hours in the cells and then a court appearance for both behaviour and the motoring offence.
There is also the chance that the BiB might find something else wrong with your vehicle, should he be verbally abused by you.
In addition, the offer of a fixed penalty is only an offer. If your behaviour leads the police officer to the conclusion that the ticket isn't the best option, then you'll get reported on summons instead. Possibility of a higher fine and court costs.
Finally, there are some BiB who take it greatly to heart and would make sure future speed checks just happen to be carried out on the roads that you use to and from home or place of work.
Those are my views off the top of my head.
Street
Obviously, I would treat every member of the public with fairness, integrity, respect, and professionalism
As BiB are human (true
) different Bobbies have different tollerance levels... I've known many drivers start on a course of actions that they wish they hadn't. Ending up being arrested for a public order offence, several hours in the cells and then a court appearance for both behaviour and the motoring offence.
There is also the chance that the BiB might find something else wrong with your vehicle, should he be verbally abused by you.
In addition, the offer of a fixed penalty is only an offer. If your behaviour leads the police officer to the conclusion that the ticket isn't the best option, then you'll get reported on summons instead. Possibility of a higher fine and court costs.
Finally, there are some BiB who take it greatly to heart and would make sure future speed checks just happen to be carried out on the roads that you use to and from home or place of work.
Those are my views off the top of my head.
Street
Obviously, I would treat every member of the public with fairness, integrity, respect, and professionalism
Streetcop said:
Obviously, I would treat every member of the public with fairness, integrity, respect, and professionalism
Obviously.
Thanks for the reply.
So, if I had called the copper a prck would I have actually committed an offence or just invited detailed scrutiny of every area of my car or the other alternatives you outlined?roadsweeper said:
Obviously, I would treat every member of the public with fairness, integrity, respect, and professionalism
Obviously.
Thanks for the reply.
He would have to warn you under section 5 of the public order act. If you continued, you'd get arrested.
Plus the other outlined things...
Personally, I can't see the use in verbally abusing BiB. Before I was a copper, I was in the military for several years and travelled all over. Being rude to the old bill never won you any favours and you always lost in the long run.
Street
Streetcop said:
Thanks for the reply.
He would have to warn you under section 5 of the public order act. If you continued, you'd get arrested.
Plus the other outlined things...
OK, thanks.
Streetcop said:
Personally, I can't see the use in verbally abusing BiB. Before I was a copper, I was in the military for several years and travelled all over. Being rude to the old bill never won you any favours and you always lost in the long run.
I totally agree - abusing a police officer, even if it were 'deserved', would be stupid and it's a lose/lose situation. This is exactly the reason I didn't call the guy a pr
ck to his face! I feel much better for having vented my righteous indignation on PH though. 
Streetcop said:
He would have to warn you under section 5 of the public order act. If you continued, you'd get arrested.
Isn't there case law that states that a police officer can't be harassed/alarmed/distressed by swearing? I think I read that swearing at police officers can only be dealt with by S5 if there are public in the vicinity likely to be affected.
Not that I would want to try this...
Gareth
Why abuse anyone? I've had it in the neck soooo many times for doing my job. Step back and think. We all have a job to do, sometimes it may not be what the public wants. Personally I think giving a copper abuse when s/he can arrest you is bad judgement. I'm sure if a few of my patients thought an arrest, potential physical pain and a night in the cells was the result they would keep their mouths shut and threats or violence to themselves.
S5 Public Order Act 1986 states
"A person is guilty of an offence if he/she uses threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour within the hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress by such action.
There is no requirement that the conduct should be directed towards any person."
It has actually been held in court that a police officer CAN be harassed, alarmed or distressed by this behaviour, even if there are no other members of the public present.
Following on from Streetcop's comment on being given a warning, and then arrested if you continue, the action doesn't have to be the same as the one they warned you about for you to be arrested!
"A person is guilty of an offence if he/she uses threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour within the hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress by such action.
There is no requirement that the conduct should be directed towards any person."
It has actually been held in court that a police officer CAN be harassed, alarmed or distressed by this behaviour, even if there are no other members of the public present.
Following on from Streetcop's comment on being given a warning, and then arrested if you continue, the action doesn't have to be the same as the one they warned you about for you to be arrested!
mungo said:
S5 Public Order Act 1986 states
"A person is guilty of an offence if he/she uses threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour within the hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress by such action.
Yep - nicked a few for that on a Fri / Sat night
Poor old Mungo, maybe you are in the wrong job if you feel harassed, alarmed and distressed by being called and short, bald, jumped up twat.......perhaps a slightly thicker coat of skin might be order..
Alice Cupra said:
S5 Public Order Act 1986 states
Following on from Streetcop's comment on being given a warning, and then arrested if you continue, the action doesn't have to be the same as the one they warned you about for you to be arrested!
Or indeed the same officer who issued the initial warning!!!!
>> Edited by gone on Saturday 23 October 10:02
mel said:
Poor old Mungo, maybe you are in the wrong job if you feel harassed, alarmed and distressed by being called and short, bald, jumped up twat.......perhaps a slightly thicker coat of skin might be order..
Section 5 is a recordable crime under the rules.
Police Officers are assessed on the performance they have regarding detections for crime.
Section 5 is a gift to a bib who is a bit short on detections!!!
SPEEDING is not a recordable crime. There are no Brownie points for nicking speeders. Only immense fun and satisfaction
Mwahahahahahahahahahahaha! >> Edited by gone on Saturday 23 October 10:07
The problem is Mel....too many coppers have thick skins and the scum on the street then feel it's ok to shout abuse out..
If it's not stamped on immediately..it gets worse...people passing by think..."Goodness, if that lout will shout and say all that to a policeman, what hope do we have?"...
Anti-social scum must be dealt with...it's nothing to do with thickness of skin..it's to do with the office of Constable.
Street
If it's not stamped on immediately..it gets worse...people passing by think..."Goodness, if that lout will shout and say all that to a policeman, what hope do we have?"...
Anti-social scum must be dealt with...it's nothing to do with thickness of skin..it's to do with the office of Constable.
Street
Streetcop said:
The problem is Mel....too many coppers have thick skins and the scum on the street then feel it's ok to shout abuse out..
Street
> I think maybe Mel's comments were made more because he dislikes Mr Mungo here, rather than that he thinks all officers should put up with abusive language. 
As an aside, I was pulled over on Friday night - I pulled away in Warminster town centre without putting my lights on (quite well lit, just forgot - noticed within 50 yards though and put them on). The Copper was a bit of a miserable git, but polite enough and accepted my answers about where i'd been and where I was going. He also didn't breathalyse me which surprised me as although I told him I hadnt had a drink (the truth) I did tell him id just left a pub! Being pulled over though was not the unpleasant experience that many people paint it to be - I was polite to him, he was polite to me and I went on my merry way having lost only about 2 minutes of my time.
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