[user104658]

Originally Posted by ThomasC

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]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

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]

Originally Posted by ThomasC

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]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

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]

Originally Posted by Alf

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

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

[Alf]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

No, 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]

Originally Posted by Alf

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]

Originally Posted by 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

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]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

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 !!

[Beso]

Originally Posted by ThomasC

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.

[Kate!]

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]

Originally Posted by parmnion

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]

Originally Posted by Kate!

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

Naught man

Originally Posted by arista

He is tall enough

Yes and I'm good on a crisis.

[arista]

Originally Posted by ThomasC

Yes and I'm good on a crisis.

Yes Watch your back, though

[ThomasC]

Originally Posted by arista

Yes Watch your back, though

Thank you for your kindness.

Dangerous job.

I didn't actually apply in the end.

[Beso]

Originally Posted by ThomasC

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]

Originally Posted by parmnion

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