CC blames Scameras for Police goodwill loss
Discussion
www.sheffieldtoday.net/ViewArticle.aspx?SectionID=58&ArticleID=742538
Speed cameras halt goodwill for police
CHIEF Constable Mike Hedges today admitted police had "lost the argument" over speed cameras and blamed them for wrecking the force's relationship with the public.
He has revealed how he argued against the rule which allows camera operators to claim back their running costs from the Government before the system was introduced nationally.
But despite Mr Hedges' protests, the system was introduced and he believes it will impossible to convince the public that cameras are anything other than cash-generators.
The Chief Constable spoke out as he announced his retirement after 11 years with the South Yorkshire force and said: "I believe we have lost a tremendous amount of goodwill from the public.
"I think the biggest mistake we have made is getting some money back.
"I am most uncomfortable with the focus on the taxation view which goes with it."
He has been so concerned about adverse publicity surrounding the use of mobile camera vans in South Yorkshire that he personally carried out checks to ensure they were being used within guidelines, which state they must be used only at proven accident blackspots.
Mr Hedges said South Yorkshire was among the first forces to embrace the use of cameras and openly publicised their locations before it became commonplace.
But he said increasing use of cameras and their ability to churn out hundreds of tickets in the space of a few hours had changed the public mood.
South Yorkshire police followed national policy by setting up a speed camera partnership with councils and other organisations to run the roadside checks.
Recently speed camera operator Pc Stephen Thomas was responsible for issuing more than 300 tickets, generating almost £20,000 in fines, from one five-hour shift.
Mr Hedges said: "There is a place for them but I think we have lost the argument on that.
"I think the police service has really suffered some really serious confidence problems, and support from the public, as a result."
Mr Hedges stressed the views were his opinions and not the policy of the Association of Chief Police Officers, which sets down national rules.
Speed cameras halt goodwill for police
CHIEF Constable Mike Hedges today admitted police had "lost the argument" over speed cameras and blamed them for wrecking the force's relationship with the public.
He has revealed how he argued against the rule which allows camera operators to claim back their running costs from the Government before the system was introduced nationally.
But despite Mr Hedges' protests, the system was introduced and he believes it will impossible to convince the public that cameras are anything other than cash-generators.
The Chief Constable spoke out as he announced his retirement after 11 years with the South Yorkshire force and said: "I believe we have lost a tremendous amount of goodwill from the public.
"I think the biggest mistake we have made is getting some money back.
"I am most uncomfortable with the focus on the taxation view which goes with it."
He has been so concerned about adverse publicity surrounding the use of mobile camera vans in South Yorkshire that he personally carried out checks to ensure they were being used within guidelines, which state they must be used only at proven accident blackspots.
Mr Hedges said South Yorkshire was among the first forces to embrace the use of cameras and openly publicised their locations before it became commonplace.
But he said increasing use of cameras and their ability to churn out hundreds of tickets in the space of a few hours had changed the public mood.
South Yorkshire police followed national policy by setting up a speed camera partnership with councils and other organisations to run the roadside checks.
Recently speed camera operator Pc Stephen Thomas was responsible for issuing more than 300 tickets, generating almost £20,000 in fines, from one five-hour shift.
Mr Hedges said: "There is a place for them but I think we have lost the argument on that.
"I think the police service has really suffered some really serious confidence problems, and support from the public, as a result."
Mr Hedges stressed the views were his opinions and not the policy of the Association of Chief Police Officers, which sets down national rules.
puggit said:
But T2000 say we all love them!!!!
Maybe we should stand out on the street and ask 1000 people "Do they like speed cameras?"
or better still why not the questions that the Scams have to ask:
"
1 Few accidents are likely to happen where cameras are installed - 69% strongly agree or agree. (SA or A)
2 Cameras mean that dangerous drivers are now more likely to get caught - 66% strongly agree or agree.
3 Cameras are an easy way to make money out of motorists - 55% (SA or A)
4 Cameras are meant to encourge drivers to keep to the limits, not punish them - 81% (SA or A)
5 The primary aim of Safety(sic) cameras is to save lives - 79% (SA or A)
6 The use of safety(sic) cameras should be supported as a method of reducing casualties - 84% (SA or A)
7 There are too many cameras in our location - 16% (SA or A)
"
figures from
www.kentandmedwaysafetycameras.org.uk/views.html
Mike Hedges is so right, an honest officer.To achieve a workable system, both public and police need to work to-gether.The police request public assistance and information, and most importantly their support.Sad that now the system is one way, and the force has lost its credibility.Twice in my life, I have gone to the assistance of an officer, one by following a stolen motorcyle after it had tried to run a bib down, and going back to show them where rider was, another time using some rope out of my van , to truss up a Drugcrazed nutter who a bib couldnt cuff.Didnt think twice, you respected law and order--NO more.The force has allowed itself to be hijacked, by its political masters.In going along with the constant flow of lies, spin and deception from the headless chickens in sw1, they have shown they are just another department of the politburo.A fine tradition and way of life has Died, RIP.
apache said:
Funny how these Senior Officers suddenly suffer remorse when they retire
Probably because they like their jobs, and would quickly find themselves unemployed if they publicly disagreed with the policies the government forces on the police. After all, you can't have people disagreeing with the establishment!
flooritforever said:
Funny how these Senior Officers suddenly suffer remorse when they retire
Probably because they like their jobs, and would quickly find themselves unemployed if they publicly disagreed with the policies the government forces on the police. After all, you can't have people disagreeing with the establishment!
I don't think so, look at our resident headcase Brunstrom, madder than a bag of badgers and Blunkett can't touch him
Interesting point. I had wondered about that myself. I would say that personally I feel intimidated to a certain extent every time I see a police car. That is not guilty concience. That is the action and manner taken by 80% (ish) of Police in my area. I have been often pulled by the police when driving completely sensibly and within the rules. I am often spoken to in a manner which the PC would not speak to my mother. I can only account for this as being age prejudice unless they don't like old mini coopers!!!
I can see that the public seem irritated by the trivialisation of police actions and a general fall in standards. I feel sorry for the decent police staff which there are amongst the pseudo-American poo but it seems the law have forgotten that in certain instances, the public are their number one lifeline so to speak.
Having recently graduated, I was toying with the idea of joining the police. Sadly, I am all too aware of the rising hatred and distrust the police has instilled in the general public. Could I do that....NO!
Having said, parliment and Tonies Cronies are responsable for this "Accountability" which is shafting the public sector, everywhere people are forcing their targets, fudging statistics all in the name of public image. It is failing worse than ever. Really, the police are getting tarnished with a poor image, anarchy will not break out. However, our children are not getting a sufficient education and that is a brutal truth which I have witnessed first hand. Spoonfeeding nonsense and fudging figures.....
I say get rid of NEW LABOUR and anyone who looks like acting in their image.
DOWN WITH BLAIR!
DOWN WITH BLAIR!
DOWN WITH BLAIR! (And hit Cherie with a stick!)
stu
I can see that the public seem irritated by the trivialisation of police actions and a general fall in standards. I feel sorry for the decent police staff which there are amongst the pseudo-American poo but it seems the law have forgotten that in certain instances, the public are their number one lifeline so to speak.
Having recently graduated, I was toying with the idea of joining the police. Sadly, I am all too aware of the rising hatred and distrust the police has instilled in the general public. Could I do that....NO!
Having said, parliment and Tonies Cronies are responsable for this "Accountability" which is shafting the public sector, everywhere people are forcing their targets, fudging statistics all in the name of public image. It is failing worse than ever. Really, the police are getting tarnished with a poor image, anarchy will not break out. However, our children are not getting a sufficient education and that is a brutal truth which I have witnessed first hand. Spoonfeeding nonsense and fudging figures.....
I say get rid of NEW LABOUR and anyone who looks like acting in their image.
DOWN WITH BLAIR!
DOWN WITH BLAIR!
DOWN WITH BLAIR! (And hit Cherie with a stick!)
stu
kneegrow said:Gosh! If you had graduated with a 2:2 in Home Economics you could have been fast-tracked to Inspector. And if you were from a so-called "ethnic minority" (you wouldn't even need a degree, a "BA, Bombay (Failed)" would do), or were homo-sexual you might even have made Chief Inspector. Of course you should have some extreme views such as legalising hard drugs, or you should keep a number of mistresses. Suggesting "Mumties" can exceed the speed limit outside schools by 5 or 6 mph is good for career advancement too. And you absolutely MUST support the deployment of more scameras (unless you are posted to Durham).
[ ... ]
Having recently graduated, I was toying with the idea of joining the police.
Bah! Humbug!
Streaky
DISCLAIMER This is not intended to denigrate degrees in Home Economics; nor the product of universities in Mumbai (Bombay); nor any member of the BiB on here who has such a degree (from Bombay or elsewhere); nor any member of an ethnic minority whether a BiB on here or not; nor homo-sexuals (either Bib on here, Bib elsewhere, or non-BiB readers of PH); nor the keeping of mistresses (by the BiB on here or in general); nor the driving abilities of "school-run mums" (invulnerable in their 4X4s and immune from the laws of obstruction and the expectations of other motorists that they will signal or if they do signal that it will mean anything); nor my Great-Uncle Joe (who has nothing whatsoever to do with this, but has never before got a mention on here).
streaky said:
DISCLAIMER This is not intended to denigrate degrees in Home Economics; nor the product of universities in Mumbai (Bombay); nor any member of the BiB on here who has such a degree (from Bombay or elsewhere); nor any member of an ethnic minority whether a BiB on here or not; nor homo-sexuals (either Bib on here, Bib elsewhere, or non-BiB readers of PH); nor the keeping of mistresses (by the BiB on here or in general); nor the driving abilities of "school-run mums" (invulnerable in their 4X4s and immune from the laws of obstruction and the expectations of other motorists that they will signal or if they do signal that it will mean anything); nor my Great-Uncle Joe (who has nothing whatsoever to do with this, but has never before got a mention on here).
Think you're safe, eh?
You omitted praise for Mary Williams.
I fear you're sunk. Don't drop the soap in the shower.
DISCLAIMER This in no way implies that Mary is not a lovely lady
mybrainhurts said:Thought about it, but found it difficult to reconcile with Sir John Stevens thinking it's OK for Mumpties to exceed the speed limit outside schools and decided that his was a more extreme view (
DISCLAIMER This is not intended to denigrate degrees in Home Economics; nor the product of universities in Mumbai (Bombay); nor any member of the BiB on here who has such a degree (from Bombay or elsewhere); nor any member of an ethnic minority whether a BiB on here or not; nor homo-sexuals (either Bib on here, Bib elsewhere, or non-BiB readers of PH); nor the keeping of mistresses (by the BiB on here or in general); nor the driving abilities of "school-run mums" (invulnerable in their 4X4s and immune from the laws of obstruction and the expectations of other motorists that they will signal or if they do signal that it will mean anything); nor my Great-Uncle Joe (who has nothing whatsoever to do with this, but has never before got a mention on here).
Think you're safe, eh?
You omitted praise for Mary Williams.
I fear you're sunk. Don't drop the soap in the shower.
DISCLAIMER This in no way implies that Mary is not a lovely lady
) - S
streaky said:
[ ... ]
Having recently graduated, I was toying with the idea of joining the police.
Gosh! If you had graduated with a 2:2 in Home Economics you could have been fast-tracked to Inspector. And if you were from a so-called "ethnic minority" (you wouldn't even need a degree, a "BA, Bombay (Failed)" would do), or were homo-sexual you might even have made Chief Inspector. Of course you should have some extreme views such as legalising hard drugs, or you should keep a number of mistresses. Suggesting "Mumties" can exceed the speed limit outside schools by 5 or 6 mph is good for career advancement too. And you absolutely MUST support the deployment of more scameras (unless you are posted to Durham).
Bah! Humbug!
Streaky
DISCLAIMER This is not intended to denigrate degrees in Home Economics; nor the product of universities in Mumbai (Bombay); nor any member of the BiB on here who has such a degree (from Bombay or elsewhere); nor any member of an ethnic minority whether a BiB on here or not; nor homo-sexuals (either Bib on here, Bib elsewhere, or non-BiB readers of PH); nor the keeping of mistresses (by the BiB on here or in general); nor the driving abilities of "school-run mums" (invulnerable in their 4X4s and immune from the laws of obstruction and the expectations of other motorists that they will signal or if they do signal that it will mean anything); nor my Great-Uncle Joe (who has nothing whatsoever to do with this, but has never before got a mention on here).
Naja! They have psychometric intelligence and personality tests - if they are "normal" - they fail!
After all, you gotta have the right personality for "THAT tone of voice" that only cops can manage!!
No-one else can do it so well! Even the WildCat cops can do it! Must be specialist training! It is international!
And the real way to get to the top is .... to have weird ideas, the weirder the better! (The Wild Cat cops have no chance!)
And the talivan muppets have to have the right kind of brain to detect and prosecute safe driving at 1mph over the posted limit, plus a keen sniffing sense of "revenue raising!"
The right kind of personality must be wearing a bit thin on the ground - which is why they are trying to recruit civvies! (BTW - MoS paper published copy of the ad used to recruit!)
Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff