Should Police Officers Apologise...

[agchristie]

For stop and searches that reveal nothing on the person?

Would officers carry out searches that are 'unwarranted' or 'unreasonable'? Is this proposal casting doubt on officer's integrity?

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/police-officers-could-have-to-give-facetoface-apologies-for-unwarranted-stop-and-searches-10459653.html

[woofgang]

NJ, its one of the reasons I have got a personalised number plate. Its on its third car now. I don't think I could learn a new one.

[retrocop]

woofgang
//As for "casting doubt on an officer's integrity", there are arrogant anuses and bad apples in every job. Why should the police be any different?//

Quite right police officers deal with them regularly during the course of their daily duties.

[jd_1984]

We have to give the officers reasonable discretion and to have them apologise would undermine their authority. If there is just cause, they should feel enabled to stop and search and lose no sleep over it

[woofgang]

honestly what is the big deal about a policeman saying "thank you for your co-operation and I apologise for inconveniencing you"

[jd_1984]

I think some officers probably will say just that woofgang. But for it to implemented as policy..... I don't think so. If the person being stopped and searched is violent, abusive etc.....

[Mamyalynne]

As long as the stop and search is carried out calmly and politely ( both parties willing of course) , a simple - 'Sorry to have delayed you,thanks for your time' sounds perfectly fine.

[agchristie]

@ woofgang

Because many folk dont co-operate in the first place making the officer's job more difficult...

[woofgang]

retrocop when my my father in law was in his sixties, he was beaten up and taped to a chair when he was a steward at a workingman's club. The cleaner found him and called the police who took him to the station. At the station the officers alleged that they had found stolen chequebooks and cards in his pocket and "suggested" that he was in league with the thieves. His wife phoned my late DH in an absolute state and DH left his job and drove straight to the police station where his suggestion of calling a lawyer amazingly sorted things out on short order......
anuses and bad apples in every job INCLUDING the police.

[woofgang]

setting aside violence, does the fact that the searchee is impolite excuse bad manners on the part of the police?

[jd_1984]

Is "not apologising" bad manners?
To apologise indicates that they have done something wrong. I do think many will say "thanks for your co-operation" and I agree for a positive police image that can go a long way, but,that isn't and shouldn't be an apology. And for cases of violence or abuse to officers they shouldn't have to even do that

[woofgang]

if they are mistaken then surely an apology for inconveniencing the member of the public is no big deal surely?

[woofgang]

and yes, not apologising is bad manners.

[jd_1984]

So, you have a young male smoking cannabis on the street.
Police search him but find no drugs, only what he is smoking.
The police officer apologises for assuming he had more drugs on him?

[agchristie]

Police forces have had to make major savings and many folk on here have complained that they don't even see a PCSO for months on end.

We want our officers out on the streets to keep us safe not taking extra time out of their busy day making apologies left right and centre....

[anotheoldgit]

agchristie

/// I wonder why they asked you what your vehicle plate was? ///

Yes I wondered that at the time, but thought as the judge said, perhaps they thought it stolen.

But more strangely why did they ask me where I had been and where were I going?

Perhaps one was a rookie and it was some kind of latest exercise they were carrying out?

[Bazile]

You are travelling along minding your own business .

You get pulled up by plod , for a stop and search - no reason given

Plod finds nothing - still no explanation .

Hell yes - a simple '' sorry to have detained you sir/madam '' is definitely warranted .

Last time i checked , there was no sign that we live in a police state

[Sqad]

Apologies are a waste of time and effort, achieving ..NOTHING.

It is a good rule in life never to apologise. The right sort of people do not want apologies, and the wrong sort take a mean advantage of them.

My philosophy also includes AB............particularly AB.

[Bazile]

retrocop

Were you suspended - again ?

//Thanks aog
Great to be riding along side you again. :-)Thanks for your support.//

What are you two - 'Alias Smith & Jones' - reborn ?

[woofgang]

not so much of the "we" please agchristie.
In your example of the pot smoker, are they going to take further action?
I would also say that in those circs, the search is neither unreasonable or unwarranted.
I am really not sure what your beef is about police officers being required to demonstrate ordinary good manners?