Blog of the Blogs

Normal Service is Resumed

Hi. Apologies for the lack of a post over Christmas, but I didn't a) have a computer upon which to make an update and b) have the inclination to spend Christmas thinking about work! Normal service is resumed from now. :)

The Policeman's Blog spoke recently about shoplifters, and how they 'should' be dealt with in the perfect world, and how the are dealt with in reality. This is a common trait that probationers will see, and inevitably adopt the more time they spend doing police work. Training shows you 'best practice', but we all quickly fall into 'accepted practice'.

For example:

The Shoplifting example
We should... arrive at the store, get the security guard to repeat the allegation in the presence and hearing of the suspect, and then inform them that they are under arrest for theft, and give them the full caution. And oh yes, now its past 1/1/2006, WHY their arrest is necessary.
We normally... arrive, ask the store detective what happened as soon as we meet them, regardless of where they are, tell the offender that they are under arrest by saying "Put your hands out like this" while cuffing them.
We really shouldn't but some do... arrive, say "Can you drop the statement and CCTV off for me?" to the guard, slap some cuffs on the person that looks like the suspect, and walk them out chatting about what they stole, why they stole it, whether they had a nice day, how the drug treatment program is going etc...

We should... book the offender into custody, explain their rights re a solicitor and call one if requested, search their house before interview, get the statements, the CCTV, view the CCTV and then interview the suspect.
We normally... book them into custody, saying "You don't want a solicitor do you, I presume you want to go ahead right away? yeah thought so", clear it with the custody sergeant (whose sole goal in life is always to have a cell block free of those irritating prisoner people) to skip the search, and go straight to interview.
We really shouldn't but some do... book the offender into custody, persuading them out of a phone call to a solicitor, threatening them with remand if someone who 'doesn't know them' has to get hold of the case. Persuade them to put down NFA (no fixed abode) for the address to avoid the house search, and go straight for interview.

We should... perform the interview without speaking to the suspect about the case, and making no promises regarding cautions, releasing them on bail or remanding them.
We normally... perform the interview after promising them "you'll be out again within the hour, you won't get remanded as long as you're honest", and ensure that they are going to admit the offence prior to the interview
We really shouldn't but some do... promise the offender that if they 'cough it', they'll get bail, whilst knowing that as you persuaded them to put down "No fixed Abode" for the address, they are going to get remanded. And then when it does happen, you'll simply say "Sorry, its the sarge, there’s nothing I can do mate."

Second part of this post to follow shortly. :)

posted by A non mouse