police in uniform

[bednobs]

hi, my neighbour who i am in a dispute with about a right of way over my land, just came round to talk to me about it, in his full police uniform, very agressive etc. It felt quite ntimidating. Are police people allowed to wear their unforms if on non-police business? even if he was on shift,, cths was nothing to do with the law. can i complain about him to anyone?

[Ethel]

That won't do you any good at all - it will make relations far worse.
Would you want to complain to his boss if he was a milkman?
I take it he didn't threaten to arrest you or anything like that.

[bednobs]

you are of course right ethel. I was very annoyed when i wrote this post (in fact still am) that it seemed to me like he was using his job to make it seem like he was right. No he didn't threaten to arrest me.

Do milkmen wear uniforms??

[Postdog]

do they still HAVE milkmen....

[Ethel]

The milkman that delivers to my street wears a cap and an overall affair. :)

Can understand how you feel, bednobs, and do sympathise. Problems with neighbours are a blerdy nightmare.

[paraffin]

Ethel: Milkmen are not bound by the same discipline code as are Police Officers, therefore your example, unfortunately, is misleading. Sorry, Ethel.

Hi bednobs:

Although your neighbour did not perhaps commit an offence per se by coming to see you in his uniform, it does seem a bit odd to say the least.

The reason I say that is that Police Officers are subject to certain codes of discipline, i.e. bringing the Force into disrepute etc etc. Such breaches can occur if the Officer is on or off duty.

Therefore, even if he did not threaten you from the perspective of him being a Police Officer, it certainly could be seen as intimidatory that he chose to confront you wearing his uniform.

Police Officers have on many occasions fallen foul of disciplinary matters and, in extreme circumstances, have been sacked as a result.

However, I have no doubt that, were you to formally report him, it would only aggravate your dispute with him, which is in no way excusing his behaviour.

Personally, if it happens again, I would politely inform him that I would not discuss the matter whilst he was in uniform which may have the desired effect. If not, I would just as politely let him know that I was then considering formally reporting him. I think he would get the message.

Good luck.