On the back of the terrible murder in the above post, the BBC have now issued some advice for women
being approached by someone claiming they are a Policeman.
It's 2021, a Policeman has raped and killed a member of the public. Some of the killer's fellow Officers are
alleged to have behaved in a manner not conducive with how the law enforcement of the UK wish to be
perceived by that public and here we are with advice on what to do when interacting with a Constable of
the law.
Due to P.C. Wayne Couzens' crime, the whole of the UK's law enforcement are now being painted as dubious.
The media are having a field-day ripping apart the once-solid trust that the public had in their local Bobby and
now we're given 'advice' that won't stop a perspective rapist regardless what profession he claims to be in.
There's a reason why I sarcastically use the word 'standards' in the 'Britain Today' thread.
Notice one thing, there's no advice for dealing with a Policeman who wishes to rape you and then choke the life out of you
in his car. Strange that...? Maybe if approached by a Policeman -especially in London, a member of the public can them
questions like:
Person: "I'm sorry to be a pest, but can you please call for a marked Police car, just so I feel less wary?"
Officer: "Why no Ma'am, that I cannot do. You see, I'm a rapist in a Policeman's uniform and such a request would
be a hindrance to what I wish to do to you".
Person: "Excuse me Officer, is that a real form of law enforcement identification?"
Officer: "Why yes it is. Now get in the car as I'm a real Policeman with the correct identification and I wish to rape
and murder you".
Please excuse the levity here, but is this where we are now with the country known for its exporting of law and order?!
being approached by someone claiming they are a Policeman.
It's 2021, a Policeman has raped and killed a member of the public. Some of the killer's fellow Officers are
alleged to have behaved in a manner not conducive with how the law enforcement of the UK wish to be
perceived by that public and here we are with advice on what to do when interacting with a Constable of
the law.
Due to P.C. Wayne Couzens' crime, the whole of the UK's law enforcement are now being painted as dubious.
The media are having a field-day ripping apart the once-solid trust that the public had in their local Bobby and
now we're given 'advice' that won't stop a perspective rapist regardless what profession he claims to be in.
There's a reason why I sarcastically use the word 'standards' in the 'Britain Today' thread.
Quote:What should you do if you are stopped by police?Archived BBC Article:
'Women have been asking how they should react if they are stopped by a lone police officer.
It comes after Metropolitan Police officer Wayne Couzens was jailed for using his police ID to kidnap, rape and
murder 33-year-old Sarah Everard.
What can I do if I'm worried about my safety?
Campaigners stress the onus should not be on women to keep themselves safe. Instead, they say the focus should
be on tackling violence against women and rebuilding trust in police.
Jess Phillips, shadow domestic violence and safeguarding minister, said "it is not women who need advice".
She said she would have got into Wayne Couzens' car - "almost anybody would".
But if you are stopped by someone claiming to be an officer and something doesn't feel right, what can you do?
Former Met Police chief superintendent Parm Sandhu urges people to "ask for help if you need it". She says if
you're stopped by someone who is alone, in plain clothes and an unmarked car, phone 999 to check who they are.
If you can't phone anyone, and you're scared, scream and draw attention to yourself, she says. If they ask you to get
into their car, ask them to call for a marked police vehicle or insist they call another officer, she adds.
How can you find out if the officer is real?
Calling the police station they say they belong to, or 101 to check their warrant card and identity, is a good idea says
Adam Wagner, a human rights barrister at Doughty Street Chambers.
He also suggests calling a family member or friend (or lawyer if you know one) to let them know what is happening.
The Met Police says if you are alone with an officer and no others arrive, ask "searching questions", such as "where
are your colleagues?". If they have a radio, ask to hear the voice of the operator and ask them to verify you're with a
genuine officer, it says.
However, Andrea Simon, director of the End Violence Against Women Coalition, says it is "absurd" for police to advise
women to challenge officers - as this fails to recognise the power imbalance in the relationship.
She says this will be "felt most by women from black, minority ethnic and migrant communities who commonly experience
over-policing".
What is a police warrant card?
Officers always carry identification and can be asked for proof.
This is usually a warrant card - which can differ from force to force - but typically includes the officer's photograph, name,
identity number, the name of the force and a security hologram.
Police in Brent, north-west London, shared an image of a Met Police warrant card back in 2018.
It's a real warrant card 'cos someone has scrawled 'real' on the photograph.
Do police have to wear a uniform?
A police community support officer (PCSO) must wear uniform when they stop and question you.
Police officers don't always wear uniforms. But they must show you their warrant card, especially if they are in plain clothes.
It would be highly unusual for a plain-clothes officer to be working alone, the College of Policing says. If they are, it is standard
practice that they should call other officers who should arrive soon afterwards.
After Couzens' sentencing, the Met Police said it would no longer deploy plain-clothes officers on their own - although there
would be "occasions" when that was not possible.
What can police stop you for?
A police officer or PCSO can ask questions about who you are, where you are going and what you are doing.
This is under "stop and account" or "stop and question" powers, according to human rights organisation Liberty.
In most cases you have the right to refuse to answer and can walk away and this can't be used as the sole reason to search
or arrest you.
However, Liberty advises that if officers have reason to believe you're involved in anti-social behaviour, you must give your name
and address - as it is a criminal offence not to. Police can also stop you under separate "stop and search" powers.
These allow officers to search an individual if they have "reasonable grounds" to suspect you are carrying illegal drugs, a weapon,
stolen property or something which could be used to commit a crime.
How should police arrest someone?
A single police officer can arrest you, but must have reasonable grounds to suspect you are carrying a prohibited item - such as
illegal drugs or a weapon - or are engaging in anti-social behaviour, according to the College of Policing.
"If someone who says they are a police officer stops you, it can be difficult to know what to do," says Adam Wagner.
He says an officer arresting you should:
Tell you their name and which police station they are from
Show you their warrant card
Give you a summary of why they are arresting you and what crime they think you have committed
If you are being arrested on your own in a secluded location or at night, you could offer to give the officer your details and ask to
attend a police station the next day instead, he suggests.
Officers on the streets now almost always have body-worn video cameras, which are used to capture evidence when attending
incidents or arresting someone.
They also act as a safeguard for both the person being stopped and the officer in the event of a dispute.
Can an off-duty police officer arrest you?
Officers are expected to intervene if they see someone committing an offence or there is another need to protect the public
-even when off duty.
An officer can exercise most of their powers all the time - and as soon as they do so they are classed as being on duty.
If an officer is not wearing uniform they should show their warrant card when they stop and question you...'
Notice one thing, there's no advice for dealing with a Policeman who wishes to rape you and then choke the life out of you
in his car. Strange that...? Maybe if approached by a Policeman -especially in London, a member of the public can them
questions like:
Person: "I'm sorry to be a pest, but can you please call for a marked Police car, just so I feel less wary?"
Officer: "Why no Ma'am, that I cannot do. You see, I'm a rapist in a Policeman's uniform and such a request would
be a hindrance to what I wish to do to you".
Person: "Excuse me Officer, is that a real form of law enforcement identification?"
Officer: "Why yes it is. Now get in the car as I'm a real Policeman with the correct identification and I wish to rape
and murder you".
Please excuse the levity here, but is this where we are now with the country known for its exporting of law and order?!
Edith Head Gives Good Wardrobe.