dont chase the criminals, lol!

A report in Saturdays Daily Mail national newspaper, says that Police in the West Midlands have been told  'Dont chase criminals if it is close to the end of your shift'.  (this is to prevent the force from having to pay overtime rates and cut operational costs).

It goes on to say that 'each officer is paid over £3,000 per year in overtime payments' This would take an ordinary beat officers salery to over £30,000 (Much more than that of a serving soldier risking his life hourly in Afghanistan).

In a recent report it was noted that women British police officers now outnumber men. There are also reports that the number of Police officers on 'sick leave' is at a record high.

I was watching a police documentry on TV a while back when the police were called to a suspected burgulary in action. two female officers arrived by car and went to investigate. One women police officer investigating, stopped at the entrance to a dark alley and said to her colleage, 'Its too dark up there, we'll wait for back-up.

Evening all!! lol

It's because the Labour Government won't pick up the bill Michael! Wonder what UKIP might provide? Lol

All happened under your beloved Labour, the man that you trust!!

Any comment?

Michael - I called the police once when youths were smashing two lights near my house. The female PCSO reported no damage - I suspect that she was too frightened to go up the dark alley too! I had a very rude officer on the phone the next day virtually accusing me of making it up and that I had to report it to the council myself - the lights were so badly damaged that the council said that anyone touching them would have died and they were glad I had phoned but valuable time had gone by when a child could have touched them and died. I made an official complaint.

We have been lucky enough lately to have been given a very dedicated team of male PCSOs. I am not sexist - I just think it is safer to have a team of males or a combination of male and female officers rather than an all female team.

I have had alot of reason to complain in the past about West Midlands Police but credit where credit is due - lately they have seemed to be more helpful and dedicated to sorting problems out.

Agree with you Lancashirelove - a serving soldier in Afganistan earns far less money than serving police officers, firemen or British Airways cabin crew come to that. 

Hi Michael.  We've got something similar going on over here.  Govt. budgets are now bust.  The state of Arizona is $1.5 billion with a b, in the red for the next 4 months, and $3 billion short for the next fiscal year.  The city of Phoenix is about to lay off hundreds of police officers.  People are always screaming about how bad "big government" is, but when your call to the police goes unanswered, it usually means they're overwhelmed and understaffed.

I'm not one of those crazy American gun freaks, but I think the UK police would have a little less trepidation about responding to crimes if they were allowed to carry firearms.  It's unfortunate that that should be the case, but reality is calling.