You'll be pleased to hear...

[Dibble]

...that since joining PH I've changed my view on "speeders" somewhat.


I used to be quite happy to sit in the back of the van, and "zap" away at anyone (even marginally) over the limit.

Now I tend to think about it a little, and use a bit more of my discretion. I only visit sites where, from my own observations and experience, the speeds really are over the top.


I used to think that Paul Smith and his SafeSpeed site was a load of "mentalist" ramblings.

Now a lot of it makes more sense to me. I even agree with some of it.


I've come to realise that most responsible motorists would be hapy to have more TrafPol BiB, and would maybe even accept getting a speeding ticket if they got stopped there and then, because usually they'll deserve it (and in certain circumstances give mitigating factors so they don't get it).

Unfortunately, most of the public, and the powers that be, don't see Roads Policing as important. Which is understandable, as until they get the early hours knock on the door, it's never affected them. They're more concerned about yobs on the street corner, and feeling afraid in their own homes. They don't like the brown envelope on the doormat, and what little respect the public has for the Police is getting eroded further.

Still, it won't be long before that doesn't matter. We've got civilian camera technicians, HATOs and VOSA stoppers, so pretty soon, they won't need any TrafPol at all, except for maybe the odd Accident Investigation Unit - until they get contracted out too.

I'm glad I'm getting out of TrafPol. It's not the job I thought it was. One car for an entire Division, with a holiday resort that has more visitors per year than Greece, to say nothing of the smaller towns and villages? How am I ever going to target those that need targetting - the drunk/drugged, uninsured, unlicensed criminals who use pool cars to get around and make the world a worse place for those who still abide by the rules?

I wish I didn't feel this way, but I can't see me making a difference on my own in this Policing field any more, so I'm transferring to another deopartment shortly - I'll continue to give my 2p's worth here though.

[gone]

Sorry to hear your plight Dibble.
I came to similar conclusions about 12 years ago, changed my specialism and have had a great 10 years in my chosen career. I am now ready to move on and have just applied for promotion for the last few years I have left. Best of luck mate. Remember the good times

[Dibble]

Cheers gone.

I once read that a cynic is merely someone who is passionate about their job that has been let down one time too many...

[ca092003]

I would definitely pay more tax to see more TrafPol on our roads, in particular more unmarked TrafPol.

[gone]

Dibble said:

Cheers gone. I once read that a cynic is merely someone who is passionate about their job that has been let down one time too many...

You are absolutely right with that as well.

[wolves_wanderer]

Sorry to hear it's got that bad for you Dibble. Unfortunately for all of us the idiots running the asylum and the poor mugs either side of the blue line seem to bear the brunt. Good luck for the future

[diesel ed]

Dibble said:

YOU'LL BE PLEASED TO HEAR... .....I'm getting out of TrafPol.

No, saddened.

Just from that post your leaving will be a loss.

However, I'm not surprised at your decision. There are too many people, even on a forum like this it would appear, even supposed "spirited" drivers, who seem to support the automated speed taxing of safe drivers rather than the catching of criminals.

[IOLAIRE]

Dibble said:

...that since joining PH I've changed my view on "speeders" somewhat. I used to be quite happy to sit in the back of the van, and "zap" away at anyone (even marginally) over the limit. Now I tend to think about it a little, and use a bit more of my discretion. I only visit sites where, from my own observations and experience, the speeds really are over the top. I used to think that Paul Smith and his SafeSpeed site was a load of "mentalist" ramblings. Now a lot of it makes more sense to me. I even agree with some of it. I've come to realise that most responsible motorists would be hapy to have more TrafPol BiB, and would maybe even accept getting a speeding ticket if they got stopped there and then, because usually they'll deserve it (and in certain circumstances give mitigating factors so they don't get it). Unfortunately, most of the public, and the powers that be, don't see Roads Policing as important. Which is understandable, as until they get the early hours knock on the door, it's never affected them. They're more concerned about yobs on the street corner, and feeling afraid in their own homes. They don't like the brown envelope on the doormat, and what little respect the public has for the Police is getting eroded further. Still, it won't be long before that doesn't matter. We've got civilian camera technicians, HATOs and VOSA stoppers, so pretty soon, they won't need any TrafPol at all, except for maybe the odd Accident Investigation Unit - until they get contracted out too. I'm glad I'm getting out of TrafPol. It's not the job I thought it was. One car for an entire Division, with a holiday resort that has more visitors per year than Greece, to say nothing of the smaller towns and villages? How am I ever going to target those that need targetting - the drunk/drugged, uninsured, unlicensed criminals who use pool cars to get around and make the world a worse place for those who still abide by the rules? I wish I didn't feel this way, but I can't see me making a difference on my own in this Policing field any more, so I'm transferring to another deopartment shortly - I'll continue to give my 2p's worth here though.

You know Dibble, there are very few people I have never actually met but have enormous respect for; but I have to tell you that you are one of them.
Any officer who will express himself straight from the heart in this way on a public forum has to be a rare and valuable asset indeed.
The real tragedy is the collective conscience of those in power who will only see it when it's too late.
We can't afford to have people like you leaving this kind of job because logic dictates that you will be replaced by a yes man, and because there are progressively fewer like you the yes men increase, and so on; reciprocation. Sad!

[Mr E]

Dibble said:

...that since joining PH I've changed my view on "speeders" somewhat. I used to be quite happy to sit in the back of the van, and "zap" away at anyone (even marginally) over the limit. Now I tend to think about it a little, and use a bit more of my discretion. I only visit sites where, from my own observations and experience, the speeds really are over the top. I used to think that Paul Smith and his SafeSpeed site was a load of "mentalist" ramblings. Now a lot of it makes more sense to me. I even agree with some of it. I've come to realise that most responsible motorists would be hapy to have more TrafPol BiB, and would maybe even accept getting a speeding ticket if they got stopped there and then, because usually they'll deserve it (and in certain circumstances give mitigating factors so they don't get it).

Post of the year.

[apache]

Reassuring stuff, sometimes I feel I've lost the plot, this post turns it around.
Sad though that it has come to this for people who really care

[safespeed]

Dibble said:

I used to think that Paul Smith and his SafeSpeed site was a load of "mentalist" ramblings. Now a lot of it makes more sense to me. I even agree with some of it.

I'm proud to have been of service, kind Sir.

[8Pack]

Sorry to hear of your decision Dibs, but fully understand your reasons. As IOLAIRE says, you will probably be replaced by a yes-man automaton, and that's a loss to us.

You're proof that despite all, there still are good coppers out there, I know 'cos "I know some personally". Coppers that have standards, and as such command respect, you truly fall into that catagory.

Good Luck in your chosen move, keep posting 8Pack.

[V8 Archie]

Dibble said:

I wish I didn't feel this way, but I can't see me making a difference on my own in this Policing field any more

Sad news Dibble. I wish you all the best. Part of me wants to scream at you. Things like "you're in more of a position than most of us to prove the point", "quitting is letting them win", "if you hate it that much, get yourself sacked in a high profile manner and sell it to the papers".

As it is, I understand your constraints and I wish you success in your new direction.

PS: please don't forget that, as a copper, you can pull people over even if you're not TrafPol

PPS: please tell me you will be replaced by a person rather than a scamera or seven .

[towman]

As I posted in a reply to SC last week everybodys job changes with time. If you dont wish to accept that change, you have the option to leave.You have obviously decided that the job no longer gives you what you want from a career and have thrown in the towel.

You deserve our respect for that. I`ve been there myself and it`s not easy. I still get an adreneline rush when I hear of a good "job" on the radio, or hear trafpol blatting up the A23 to an incident.

I watched as the local traffic division disintegrated as all the old boys jacked it in or went with a "medical", only to be replaced by a bunch of kids who only aim in life was to hoon/pose around a flash car and target their own pet hates.

Sadly the Police now appears to have the same attitude as many businesses - "If the staff don`t like what we ask them to do, they can far cough. There`s plenty more out there willing to do the job"

RIP The UK police force. Once something the nation could be proud of. Sadly no longer.


I offer the two alleged "rapists" currently on trial as an example of the drop in standards.

>> Edited by towman on Friday 5th November 05:10

[gemini]

Good luck with your chosen career path Dibble

Unfortunately youll probably be replaced by someone with such discretion

[silverback mike]

Dibble.
Best wishes with the change of department - I changed a while back, funny how some are treated better than others isn't it?

Anyway, my cynical head is off, all the best.



PS. How are you going to be able to crash cars now!!

[JMGS4]

Dibble, nice to hear a really candid viewpoint. Sorry that you feel you can't continue in your present line of work, Britain needs real trafpols who understand traffic, not some paragraph riding idiot who swallows greenie and leftist policy without even thinking. A great pity that your colleagues don't get "up in arms" about this, and glad to hear that Paul Smith is reaching some people!
Also hope that your candid views will not be a stumbling block in the future, as St was obviously warned-off by some PC or politically minded superior...
We need more blokes like you!!!!

[charltm]

Dibble,

Pleased to hear your views have been changed for what we would consider the better.

Very sorry, though, to hear about your decision and the reasoning for it.

Can't fault you for doing what you need to do rather than fighting the system, for that way big career risks lie.

However, perhaps we could ask that, whenever it is appropriate and there is no risk to yourself, or when you are high up whichever tree you will climb within the Force, your enlightened views be given the opportunity of an airing.

In return, if you think it may help change things for the better, I (and I'm sure other PHers) would be very willing to write letters to whichever politicians, chief constables, etc. that you think would benefit from our viewpoints or from our understanding of your position and that of others like you.

You never, know, the receipt of enough letters from intelligent people could conceivably make a difference (one day?)...

Best of luck

Matt

[TripleS]

Well it's a bit of a mixed bag, but that's a nice post Dibble.

I'm very sorry to hear you've become disillusioned with your current role, but glad to hear that you are now in general agreement with the SafeSpeed philosophy.

May I wish you every success in whatever you do in the remainder of your career.

Please keep in touch with us here.

Best wishes all,
Dave.

[mcflurry]

Good Luck in your future path