Anyone know a special?

[ThomasC]

I am thinking about joining the police as a special.

Just to do in my spare-time.

I have always been fascinated in the emergency services. Even growing up, The Bill was my favourite programme.

Do you know anyone or have any experience/stories?

I am used to dealing with challenging situations and even once was pretty close to getting run over :joker:

I'm not 100% sure it would be for me as i don't think you ever are with something like that, but it's worth a shot maybe.

[Josy]

I've honestly never heard of a 'special'

[arista]

Have they now stopped Funding "Specials"
I think.



Are you in love with the Uniform?

[arista]

I've honestly never heard of a 'special'


https://www.met.police.uk/car/careers/met/police-volunteer-roles/special-constable/special-constable-overview/?utm_source=Social&utm_medium=Twitter&utm_campaign=MSC-Recruitment-2020&utm_content=marketingimage

[Alf]

They have PCSO's now.

Police Community Support Officers.

They're useless.

[ThomasC]

I've honestly never heard of a 'special'

It's a voluntary police officer, but you have all the same powers as a regular police officer.

Only difference is you don't get paid for it and have to do a minimum of so many hours. It's very little though so I could just do one shift a week.

Have they now stopped Funding "Specials"
I think.



Are you in love with the Uniform?

I'm not sure. I'm going to look into it. I know they're recruiting for regular officers, but don't want to do that.

Yeah I like the uniform, but lots of other things too.

They have PCSO's now.

Police Community Support Officers.

They're useless.

I wouldn't say they're useless. They have an important role to play.

[Alf]

It's a voluntary police officer, but you have all the same powers as a regular police officer.

Only difference is you don't get paid for it and have to do a minimum of so many hours. It's very little though so I could just do one shift a week.



I'm not sure. I'm going to look into it. I know they're recruiting for regular officers, but don't want to do that.

Yeah I like the uniform, but lots of other things too.



I wouldn't say they're useless. They have an important role to play.Important my arse.

Arista, this guy needs to see how AB deals with PCSO's

Watch some "Auditing Britain" on YouTube before you make the decision to join the force. He learns Police constables how to be Police constables and not Police Officers. He gives better training than they teach at Police school.

[ThomasC]

Important my arse.

Arista, this guy needs to see how AB deals with PCSO's

Watch some "Auditing Britain" on YouTube before you make the decision to join the force. He learns Police constables how to be Police constables and not Police Officers. He gives better training than they teach at Police school.

I know exactly who AB is and I've seen his videos and he's a twat.

He purposely looks for trouble. He relies on them otherwise he'd have no videos.

He's the most argumentative twat I've seen.

If you're going to film outside police stations in the current climate don't be shocked when you're stopped and asked why. It's not rocket science. He's embarrassing

[Alf]

I know exactly who AB is and I've seen his videos and he's a twat.

He purposely looks for trouble. He relies on them otherwise he'd have no videos.

He's the most argumentative twat I've seen.No, he minds his own business, doing a legal activity and exposes the cops who try to bully and harras him, sometimes infringe on his rights.

This is a good community service that he provides to the public. The Police are our public servants whom we pay for, so it's important for us to see them in action and make sure they're not abusing the authority we allow them.

There are some good constables out there, but there are also some bad eggs that do abuse that power. We the people need to know that our money is being used correctly.

[Cherry Christmas]

Ours are pretty active in the community they go around in pairs on bikes, and have coffee mornings with residents, I think you might enjoy that!

[ThomasC]

No, he minds his own business, doing a legal activity and exposes the cops who try to bully and harras him, sometimes infringe on his rights.

This is a good community service that he provides to the public. The Police are our public servants whom we pay for, so it's important for us to see them in action and make sure they're not abusing the authority we allow them.

There are some good constables out there, but there are also some bad eggs that do abuse that power. We the people need to know that our money is being used correctly.

Most of his videos I have seen have been where he's outside a police station filming. When police then come to ask him why he gets all defensive.

If you can't understand why it would be of concern them there is something wrong.

He then tries to provoke them and gets all argumentative. He puts words in their mouth.

He does it for a reaction.

It might be legal; however police are well within their rights and powers to ask. If they didn't and something tragic happened then you'd also be blaming them for not doing their jobs.

They don't know him and what his intentions are, good or bad.



It's actually embarrassing. It's a shame there are a minority who hate on the police.

[thesheriff443]

Ours are pretty active in the community they go around in pairs on bikes, and have coffee mornings with residents, I think you might enjoy that!

I tend to think he wouldn’t, they get a lot of abuse and get sent to low end jobs

I think he should sign up for the Samaritans or some charity organisation and help those who are having a hard time

Policing is thankless job with little in the way of job satisfaction

[ThomasC]

I tend to think he wouldn’t, they get a lot of abuse and get sent to low end jobs

I think he should sign up for the Samaritans or some charity organisation and help those who are having a hard time

Policing is thankless job with little in the way of job satisfaction

Yeah I wouldn't want to be a PCSO. Whilst I respect the hard work that they do, they just don't have the legal rights to enforce which would mean my hands are tied.

I already help those who are having a hard time, this would just be different. I don't know whether I would like it and part of me doubts my ability. I've always just got quite excited with this sort of thing, but never really pursued it...I think it's the adrenaline which I like. I think you can give as little or as much time as you like,,,I think they expect you to do 16 hours a month which is 4 a week......I already have lots on at work so it could work for me...I'm just very indecisive generally

[thesheriff443]

Most of his videos I have seen have been where he's outside a police station filming. When police then come to ask him why he gets all defensive.

If you can't understand why it would be of concern them there is something wrong.

He then tries to provoke them and gets all argumentative. He puts words in their mouth.

He does it for a reaction.

It might be legal; however police are well within their rights and powers to ask. If they didn't and something tragic happened then you'd also be blaming them for not doing their jobs.

They don't know him and what his intentions are, good or bad.



It's actually embarrassing. It's a shame there are a minority who hate on the police.

I agree with most of what you are saying but has I say, the police are just men and women in uniform doing a job, and they don’t become saints when they put it on they have their same faults like every one else

And there some criminals in uniform

[Cherry Christmas]

oh my bad I thought they were the same thing, never heard of a special then

[ThomasC]

I agree with most of what you are saying but has I say, the police are just men and women in uniform doing a job, and they don’t become saints when they put it on they have their same faults like every one else

And there some criminals in uniform

Ohhh yeah 100% and power does go to people's heads.

This YouTuber though purposely goes out looking for a reaction though and is defensive/argumentative.... But it's all for likes on youtubey. Pretty sad really.

[ThomasC]

oh my bad I thought they were the same thing, never heard of a special then

Yeah they're different. Do the same job as normal police officers but don't get paid

[Alf]

Most of his videos I have seen have been where he's outside a police station filming. When police then come to ask him why he gets all defensive.

If you can't understand why it would be of concern them there is something wrong.

He then tries to provoke them and gets all argumentative. He puts words in their mouth.

He does it for a reaction.

It might be legal; however police are well within their rights and powers to ask. If they didn't and something tragic happened then you'd also be blaming them for not doing their jobs.

They don't know him and what his intentions are, good or bad.



It's actually embarrassing. It's a shame there are a minority who hate on the police.It's mainly their attitudes when approaching a member of the public that he exposes. Public servents ain't supposed to be rude and aggressive to the people who pay for their service.

He also exposes some of them for making up a crime on the spot that didn't even happen, just to get his details from him. That's not on and needs exposing.

But the main thing I take away from his videos is, what are they teaching at Police School?

[ThomasC]

It's mainly their attitudes when approaching a member of the public that he exposes. Public servents ain't supposed to be rude and aggressive to the people who pay for their service.

He also exposes some of them for making up a crime on the spot that didn't even happen, just to get his details from him. That's not on and needs exposing.

But the main thing I take away from his videos is, what are they teaching at Police School?

What about his attitude?

I could say the sky is blue, you'd say it's pink. We'll agree to disagree.

They're teaching something right for him to be questioned as to his actions when the threat level is severe... He's never clear on what he's doing just says 'for matters of public interest'.... Then keeps repeating himself and doesn't listen. :joker:

[Alf]

What about his attitude?

I could say the sky is blue, you'd say it's pink. We'll agree to disagree.

They're teaching something right for him to be questioned as to his actions when the threat level is severe... He's never clear on what he's doing just says 'for matters of public interest'.... Then keeps repeating himself and doesn't listen. :joker:It's none of their business what he's doing, he doesn't have to answer them at all. Suspicion or in reality Police paranoia is not a crime.

I can’t go upto someone in the street and make a citizens arrest on them just because I personally think they might be up to no good, I'd get done for harassment. People have rights in this country and we must preserve them

[thesheriff443]

Ohhh yeah 100% and power does go to people's heads.

This YouTuber though purposely goes out looking for a reaction though and is defensive/argumentative.... But it's all for likes on youtubey. Pretty sad really.

Yes there are a few that do that but the police play into there hands by going over the top and gives the you tubers the reaction they want

[ThomasC]

It's none of their business what he's doing, he doesn't have to answer them at all. Suspicion or in reality Police paranoia is not a crime.

I can’t go upto someone in the street and make a citizens arrest on them just because I personally think they might be up to no good, I'd get done for harassment. People have rights in this country and we must preserve them

Of course it is their business.

He's filming outside a police station. Yes, it's public property, but it is going to cause suspicion until they can verify the reasons as to why he is doing it. He might have bad intentions for all they know.

If police suspect that a crime might be comitted then they are well within their rights. The fact someone is filming outside a police station when the threat level is suspicious gives them reasonable grounds to suspect that a crime might be comitted.

The police wouldn't just necessarily go up to someone filming, but when it's outside a police station they probably would.

Yes, people have rights and no one is stopping that. From a lot of the videos I have seen he has been asked nicely the reasons as to why he is filming. AB will then go off on one without listening to what they are saying. If he is completely open and honest from the start then there would probably be no problem, but he isn't. Saying that it's for matters of public interest doesn't mean anything and they want to keep everyone safe so just want to clarify.

BUT obviously, he wants them to be there as long as possible and argue with them because he gets views for it.

[ThomasC]

Yes there are a few that do that but the police play into there hands by going over the top and gives the you tubers the reaction they want

I just can't get my head around it.

They have a hard enough job as it is without some moron trying to cause an argument for the sake of likes. it's pathetic.

And yet, I am sure if any of them needed help they'd ring them. :joker:

If you're being frosty then you're going to get the same response back.

[Smithy]

As if my joke got deleted :rolleyes:

[ThomasC]

As if my joke got deleted :rolleyes:

What joke?

[user104658]

Yeah they're different. Do the same job as normal police officers but don't get paid

In this scenario, I have to question why they're doing it then. It's not that I don't understand voluntary work - but law enforcement? I'm not convinced.

If more police officers in a community support role is needed, fund it, and pay people to do it properly. Otherwise it's just going to be used by people who want to tell people they're a police officer when they are not. Like HCA's calling themselves "nurses" on Social Media.

[ThomasC]

In this scenario, I have to question why they're doing it then. It's not that I don't understand voluntary work - but law enforcement? I'm not convinced.

If more police officers in a community support role is needed, fund it, and pay people to do it properly. Otherwise it's just going to be used by people who want to tell people they're a police officer when they are not. Like HCA's calling themselves "nurses" on Social Media.

I suppose you could question why anyone would do anything for free then or voluntary?

It's not a community support role as such, unless you're thinking of PCSOs... although you could say any service within the emergency service is community support.

Special constables are police officers though, they just don't get paid for it. That's the only difference. Doesn't make you not a police officer.

I have heard of lots of specials then becoming paid officers so I suppose for some they might use it to test the waters. I already have a career so it would be another social outlay and purpose. ...although I do have huge reservations about applying.

Maybe people also want to make a difference and do something that they would genuinly find exciting. I would imagine it's a job that isn't always the same.

[user104658]

I suppose you could question why anyone would do anything for free then or voluntary?

It's not a community support role as such, unless you're thinking of PCSOs... although you could say any service within the emergency service is community support.

If it's not community support then I find it even more questionable I suppose. What is the reward in being an unpaid police officer? Like I said I understand charity work; I understand why someone might want to support kids, or the elderly, or the disabled... I don't understand why anyone would want to march around in uniform asserting authority when it isn't what they're paid to do. Or rather, I do understand why, but none of the reasons I can come up with are comfortable ones.

From the opposite side as well - if police forces are understaffed to the point of needing unpaid staff to do exactly the same job as the paid workforce? It's not making a huge amount of sense to me. Have to admit, I'd heard of community support officers and I understand why people might WANT to do that role voluntarily because it's about support, not enforcement. I still think it should be funded and paid though.

The idea of people being full police officers just because it's something they like the sound of and not as a career choice? Sounds like an absolute minefield.

[user104658]

For further reference: I'm not at all in the "defund the police" mindset, moreso the "the police are already under-funded" mindset. Fund them better, train more paid officers if necessary, pay people to perform community support roles alongside (I personally would see money diverted more heavily towards community support than law enforcement).

[Alf]

For further reference: I'm not at all in the "defund the police" mindset, moreso the "the police are already under-funded" mindset. Fund them better, train more paid officers if necessary, pay people to perform community support roles alongside (I personally would see money diverted more heavily towards community support than law enforcement).No, we don't want officers, we want constables.

Constables belong to us the people, Officers belong to a company.

What does the O stand for in CEO?

[user104658]

No, we don't want officers, we want constables.

Constables belong to us the people, Officers belong to a company.


https://i.imgur.com/SjrhZGG.gif

[Alf]

https://i.imgur.com/SjrhZGG.gifNo, Communism is more power to the government I'm talking about Trumpism, which is taking back the power from the swamp and returning it to the people. Which is what we're living through right now.

[user104658]

No, Communism is more power to the government

No that's authoritarianism/totalitarianism, which do indeed often go hand-in-hand with actual implementations of supposed Communism, but they are not philosophically Communist. Law enforcement being accountable to the public at large is 100% a communist ideology.

I'm talking about Trumpism, which is taking back the power from the swamp and returning it to the people. Which is what we're living through right now.

And this, if it were indeed ever Trump's actual goal, would be called Libertarianism (not to be confused with liberalism). Of course it's not what Trump is or was ever actually doing but that's a seQarate debate.


Neither has anything to do with Communism, other than certain Americans being a bit confused about their political terminology. Communism in the modern context (Soviet Russia, CCP China) has gone hand-in-hand with totalitarianism, because large-scale Communism is near-impossible to implement without being strictly enforced, due to people naturally tending towards individualism/Libertarianism, as we (as a species) are instinctually individualistic and not altruistic (e.g. it's become very obvious in recent years that an awful lot of people who describe themselves as socialists are deeply invested in the concept of hyper-individualism, a form of extreme libertarianism, and the clash between the two requires an absolute boatload of cognitive dissonance).



If you're going to talk about this stuff you need a better understanding of political ideologies and terminologies though Alf because again;

tl;dr;

The concept of the police being true public servants is absolutely 100% socialism.


[edit to add] "Trumpism" is not a political term with any real meaning.

[michael21]

I am thinking about joining the police as a special.

Just to do in my spare-time.

I have always been fascinated in the emergency services. Even growing up, The Bill was my favourite programme.

Do you know anyone or have any experience/stories?

I am used to dealing with challenging situations and even once was pretty close to getting run over :joker:

I'm not 100% sure it would be for me as i don't think you ever are with something like that, but it's worth a shot maybe.

Goid luck

[ThomasC]

If it's not community support then I find it even more questionable I suppose. What is the reward in being an unpaid police officer? Like I said I understand charity work; I understand why someone might want to support kids, or the elderly, or the disabled... I don't understand why anyone would want to march around in uniform asserting authority when it isn't what they're paid to do. Or rather, I do understand why, but none of the reasons I can come up with are comfortable ones.

From the opposite side as well - if police forces are understaffed to the point of needing unpaid staff to do exactly the same job as the paid workforce? It's not making a huge amount of sense to me. Have to admit, I'd heard of community support officers and I understand why people might WANT to do that role voluntarily because it's about support, not enforcement. I still think it should be funded and paid though.

The idea of people being full police officers just because it's something they like the sound of and not as a career choice? Sounds like an absolute minefield.

There's more to police work than law enforcement.

I don't really understand your thought process but then you don't understand mine.

The reward would be helping people and making a difference. You can't always learn that if you're not that type of person.

You seem to be hooked up on the idea police work is just law enforcement which is a misconception

[Oliver_W]

Good for you, man !!

[Parmy]

Ohhh yeah 100% and power does go to people's heads.

This YouTuber though purposely goes out looking for a reaction though and is defensive/argumentative.... But it's all for likes on youtubey. Pretty sad really.

That's not entirely true.

Lots of people do not know their rights, his videos highlight your rights when dealing with the police..

Ps, specials have no powers.

[Holly Christmas]

An ex of mine told me he was a special constable. He turned out to be a lying bastard.

[arista]

He is tall enough

[ThomasC]

That's not entirely true.

Lots of people do not know their rights, his videos highlight your rights when dealing with the police..

Ps, specials have no powers.

Not correct! Please do some research before you post incorrect information.

Specials have all the same powers of police officers.

Specials wear the same uniform and have the same powers and responsibilities as regular police officers and enjoy a variety of roles. They carry out duties such as: responding to 999 calls. foot and vehicle patrols.
https://www.met.police.uk › car › met
Overview | Special constable (volunteer police officer)

I'm getting tired of having to correct you

[ThomasC]

An ex of mine told me he was a special constable. He turned out to be a lying bastard.

Naught man

He is tall enough

Yes and I'm good on a crisis.

[arista]

Yes and I'm good on a crisis.



Yes Watch your back, though

[ThomasC]

Yes Watch your back, though

Thank you for your kindness.

Dangerous job.

I didn't actually apply in the end.

[Parmy]

Not correct! Please do some research before you post incorrect information.

Specials have all the same powers of police officers.

Specials wear the same uniform and have the same powers and responsibilities as regular police officers and enjoy a variety of roles. They carry out duties such as: responding to 999 calls. foot and vehicle patrols.
https://www.met.police.uk › car › met
Overview | Special constable (volunteer police officer)

I'm getting tired of having to correct you

They have the same powers of arrest, that's about it..I also have the power of arrest.

[ThomasC]

They have the same powers of arrest, that's about it..I also have the power of arrest.

Again, incorrect.

So please tell me what powers they don't have that paid officers do have?

I have literally just quoted the met saying they have the same powers and responsibilities