Local PCSO

Is it me or has it all gone quiet?

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 10:18:04 +0200

Searching through the tabloids I have also noticed that we don't get as much press as we used to.
After six years of plastic policing I wonder whether people have finally accepted we are here to stay.

Since my last posts on here I am trying to become involved in more grass roots community projects - such as youth shelters, skateboarding events, and neighbourhood watch.

I will let you know how it goes

Comments

title-3929565

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 11:01:31 +0100

Again another difference has become apparent, between pcso's and pc's.

The other day I was on routine patrol when I heard a radio shout for a male shoplifting in the local superdrug.
I made my way to the area and spoke with the guard outside who confirmed that the male had various products inside of his jacket and would be exiting the shop any moment.

I used my radio to ask camera control to direct the nearest cctv camera onto the outside of the shop.
As I was doing this a male came running from the shop and threw his bag at me in an effort to slow me down.
I began pursuit of the male, and detained him roughly half a mile from the shop.
The updates I was passing over the radio allowed a van to arrive at my location as I detained him.
The items were subsequently recovered and the male in question taken to the cells.

This is where the difference comes into play...
You may be thinking that a pc could run faster, or would have been in a car and caught him sooner, or some other misguided opinion.

The copper that got out of the van (and a few back at the nick) said "what the hell did you chase him all this way for?, I would have given up outside the shop"

Just remember that I ain't tarring all pc's with the same brush, I have no doubt that some pc's would have pursued the male until captured, the same that some pcso's would have jumped into water, tackled aggressive kids etc.....we are all different why can't people see that

Comments

Back again

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 12:39:16 +0100

Thanks for all the comments and emails over the past couple of months.
I have been laying low a little and working hard after a lad at my station was dismissed for posting information of a sensitive nature in his blog.
Although I have not posted anything I shouldn't have, I took the decision to let the incident pass before I continued my own blog.

Well quite a bit has happened since my last update, both good and bad.....

BAD

A fellow PCSO was assaulted whilst trying to keep hold of a male who had just assaulted his wife. Not a job he was sent to, just an incident that he walked into in the middle of a shopping centre.
And before anyone jumps on the bandwagon of saying PCSO's are a waste of money as "if it had been a PC he would have been better equipped to deal", I would just like to give my view on the incident.

My colleague came across a male violently assaulting a famale whilst he was on patrol.
The members of the public in and around the area were simply walking around the incident.
My colleague shouted for asistance and then seperated the pair to try and prevent further injury to the female.
This male admitted in interview that he would have killed her if he had the chance.

From viewing the cctv I estimate that 250 - 300 people walked past the incident and did not help, will these people be shown in the scummy newspapers and shown to be unwilling to help a female in distress??
NO - The same as my colleagues gallant efforts won't be reported, as cowardice only exists in those who wear unfiroms apparantly.

Finally for some good news,

I spotted a local likely lad and carried out a routine check on him.
Nothing of note came back and he went on his merry way.
I was aware that 2 months ago he was said to be carrying weopons in his bag, so I asked for a unit to attend and search the male.
I followed him until the unit arrived and searched him.....BINGO.....a double edged samurai sword in his backpack.

Again good news doesn't make readable news in the tabloids for the gullible

Comments

Lazy days

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 08:12:54 +0100

I haven't been on here much lately as work has been very uninspiring.
Part of my patch has been suffering from antisocial behaviour which begins after 2300hrs (after my shift ends).
They have combatted this by keeping me on til 2 in the morning, sitting plain clothes in an unmarked vehicle, monitoring a surveillance camera.

Needless to say as soon as the camera goes up, even the stupidest of youths doesn't get up to anything.

It may just be personal opinion but sometimes I don't want to prevent the incident, I would rather catch them doing it.
In theory, at least that way they will get what they deseve, but unfortunately you can't always rely on old lady law to help you out once they reach court.

Anyway I best log off, just finished at 2 and back in at 9

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Neighbourhood watch

Sun, 25 Nov 2007 00:11:14 +0100

No matter what your opinions are on neighbourhood watch, its here to stay.

I am not the biggest fan of this scheme and find that the constant stream of useless information from repeated sources can sometimes bog you down.
However after much deliberation I have decided that this is due largely to the calibre of coordinator who is running the scheme.
I spent today visiting all of my local sources and signing them up as coordinators.
After all I only go to sources I trust, therefore this may bring up the standard of the neighbourhood watch intel in my area.

What are everyone elses view on neighbourhood watch?, is it just a home insurance scam or can it really work in a society where the bad apples often outnumber the good?

Also today I enter a local rail platform and saw a male standing tapping a screwdriver off the railings.
Unfortunately I did not notice the item until I was right next to him, as he was stood at the top of the stairs I was ascending.
I decided I had to box clever and hit my emergency button which gives me 10 seconds of air time.
I then asked him 'why are you openly waving around a screwdriver in trumpton (not the real name lol) rail station?'
'He replied that he normally carried one incase he needed it'
Luckily control didn't ask me to clarify my situation and immediately dispatched two units to the station.
The male who had concealed the screwdriver went to put his hands in his pockets again, and I warned him to keep his hands away from his sides.
He continued and I advised that if he didn't put his hands on the railings I was going to floor him (or words to that effect).
The cops turned up a few seconds later and searched him.
He was carrying a knife, a screwdriver, and was wanted on a warrant for failing to appear (the offence was aggravated vehicle theft!!!).

Overall I know people are going to criticise my actions, but I for one stand by my decisions in the heat of the moment.
I am not paid enough to have a knife/screwdriver or any other object stuck in my side, and yes, if he had of kept going for the screwdriver I would have punched him in the face.

Let the berating begin!

Comments

uniform

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 00:14:04 +0100

I have read recently on a pcso forum that certain forces are planning to change there uniform to combats and t-shirt.

PC's = black t-shirt, PCSO's = Light blue t-shirt

Now I have never wanted to be a PC, but I do think that sometimes the second glance that it takes your local scumbag to check to see if I am a PCSO or PC, creates enough time for me to react to the situation.

I think a completely different uniform will put PCSO's more at risk.
I know plenty of crapbags who will see the uniform and front up to us straight away, as there is no doubt who we are.

I am not wanting to con the public, I just want to get home to my family in one piece.

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Free Christmas shopping

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 11:30:34 +0100

Well the festive season is fast approaching and with it comes the local pond lifes penchant for all things made by lynx.
I feel kinda stupid that for all these yers I hve stressed when I have been short of cash.
If only I had known that if you put what items you want up your top or down your pants, they instantly become yours....for free.
The only catch seems to be that you have to run like a chipmunk on speed incase some over zealous cop, cso or security guard tries to deprive you of your new found christmas presents.

I like to think that I have quite a good sense of humour, though I must admit that I am pleased that local kids haven't starte copying this - http://youtube.com/watch?v=ShkuaA_XeB4

The big thing for our neighbourhood team at the moment is to complete as many stop forms as we can.
The process seems to be that if we know there names, then we should be stopping them.
I personally don't see the point in walking around looking for these people, I simply stand outside of the local Markman and brothers pharmacy and let the toerags come staggering up, with there knuckles trailing on the floor in search of there methadone.

Right, I'm off to claim my free Lynx shower gel from boots - if I don't post in the next few days, check your local arrest logs for the name localpcso

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Is it a bird?, is it a plane?

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 21:44:02 +0100

No.....its a traffic warden.

Ok, for all you none police folk out there.
If you see a member of the police family standing in the street and writing in there pocket note book - please stop assuming they are giving you a ticket.

I waited 2 minutes and 6 seconds for a man to stop ranting and raving about how he thought it was unfair he was getting a ticket before I explained that I wasn't a traffic warden.
He wasn't impressed, and neither was I.

So in answer to the great pcso uniform debate, lets all get pink uniforms with a badge saying professional child minder. I give it 6 weeks before anyone takes the time to read the badge and realise.

Rant over.

p.s. I am not from the rspca either

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Its been a while

Fri, 02 Nov 2007 12:05:36 +0100

Its been a while folks, but luckily I had some annual leave I had to take before the end of the year.
I returned to work yesterday, and the time off had made me look at situations in a different light.

I caught 2 shoplifters yesterday.

The first was a 67 year ld man who stole a sandwich from boots, I took it back for him and let him get on his way.

The second was a guy who ran out of sports direct with a new pair of adidas trainers on his feet - he got lifted, but onl after I told him not to bother trying to nick them again as they obviously couldn't make him run faster than me.

I then attended a report of a burglary dwelling as I was only two streets away and I had heard a female pc shout up for the job even though she wa single crewed.
I instinctively went straight to the back of the house as my colleague entered through the front door, it was only when I was in the house and seen that my colleage had her baton out, that I wondered what the hell I would do if someone was there.
Maybe I could hit them with my enormous hat!!!
Luckily for us the offenders had left the scene, and didnt seem to have taken anything.

I then attended a resident group meeting, where the main complaint they had was that schoolkids are dropping litter - at least the serious crime has been knocked on the head!

I will try to keep the blog going as best I can, though I am currently juggling work, wife and three kids. Stay safe.

Comments

Blagging it

Tue, 16 Oct 2007 23:50:33 +0200

As Monday nights are notoriously quiet, I planned use the early part of the day to go around my local shops and have a bit of banter with the shopkeepers to see what intel I could pull in to pass the time.

Well 2 minutes after I booked on, a call came in for a burglary ongoing, as the eerie silence came over the air of no units responding, I decided that I would head down that way and see if I could give further info until a unit became available.
When I got down there, the local drunk had locked himself out and was half inside of his window, with his legs dangling out.
Just as I got close to the house he went crashing in, pulled his blinds down and gave me the thumbs up - good stuff.

I then contiued my patrol until a call came in for a underage drinkers in the local park.
I arrived to be met by the usual comments, and obnoxious behaviour which is ever present in todays youth.
They even had the cheek to say that the coke bottle they had, only contained coca cola.

The following may not be verbatim but to the best of my knowledge it is how the conversation went.

PCSO: Pour your drink out for me

GIRL: What for?, its only coca cola!

PCSO: I tell you what, I have an alcohol testing kit in my pocket which will detect any traces of alcohol in that bottle. They cost the force £50.00 each and as a result it has taken me two years to be issued with one.
If it turns out that you have lied to me and the I have wasted my one and only kit on you, I am going to call a PC down and report you for being drunk and disorderly (any PC'S reading this, don't worry I wasn't really going to waste your time).

At this point the girl poured her drink out without saying another word.

law - 1, local youths - 0

My next job was a purse thief who had ran in my direction.
At a bus stop I spotted a male matching his description sat with another male.
As I approached I heard them talking to each other, word along the lines of 'he's not even a proper copper....he can't even search us'

Yet again to the best of my memory,

PCSO: Yes thats right I can't search you, what else can I or can't I do?

YOUTH: I don't know but I know you can't search me

PCSO: Whats in your pockets?

The youth then turns his pockets out to reveal that he has nothing in his pockets

PCSO: Pat yourself down

PCSO to second youth: See I can't search him, I just hope he is daft enough to do it himself

A patrol then pulled up and searched the youths but unfortunately it wasn't them.
Still, score one for having an IQ of more than 10

The rest of my patrol was spent making sure that I covered every street on my patch at least once, and tying my shoe lace on the walls of the people who complain that they never see the Police.

Before I sign off, I was also able to direct patrols to a fight which was occuring in a back lane in the middle of town.
The incident was created on the wrong location, but due to local knowledge I was able to advise control of the error.
In total today I have had 4 cops thank me for my work, 7 members of the public and 2 youth who claim I am too canny to be a copper.
Its a shame that these people don't write into the papers, as I am sure that every PCSO receives praise, but good news doesn't sell trashy newspapers.

LOCAL PCSO

Comments

Deathly Sunday nights

Mon, 15 Oct 2007 23:26:54 +0200

I have always wondered why there isn't much crime on a Sunday night.
Not as much as I wonder why I am wandering around on my own with in the pitch, but we all have a job to do.
I think the most proactive thing I managed today was eight hours of high visibility foot patrol. Part of which got me some very interesting information regarding a drugs dealer on my patch.
The guy who gave me the info is well known but apparantly respects the fact that I walk the back lanes alone with no ppe - if thats what it takes then so be it.

Sorry I haven't got anything more exciting to say, but I would rather keep this truthful instead of trying to glamorise anything that I do.

Local PCSO

Comments

Shoplifters, drug addicts and racist thugs

Sat, 13 Oct 2007 11:03:08 +0200

Today started as a routine day for me.
Checking the force system for any jobs that are of relevance to my role, checking my emails, and attending the shift briefing.

Another day on solo patrol for me, not sure where the media stories of 3 man pcso patrols come from....I could do with that support at times.
The day went by at a steady speed but with very little happening.
I decided to take the time to carry out some key point policing and be seen around the local shopping centres, transport links and schools.

It was during this patrol that I popped into the local borders store and was advised that a local youth had been in and stolen some sweets.
I viewed the cctv footage and positively identified the offender, seized the cctv tape and made a written note of the witness details. I then contacted the control room in order to create an incident for which a Police Officer would need to attend to obtain crime details.

Once the job was assigned to an officer, I contacted the officer via the force radio and arranged to meet up with them beforehand back at the 'nick'.
I then proceeded to review the cctv tape in his presence to confirm the identity of the offender. I was then able to begin looking for the offender whilst out and about, whilst the PC took statements.
Whilst near the offenders home address I seen him walking into another of the local shops.
One radio call later and a Police Officer arrived to arrest him for shoplifting.

It doesn't end their......As I was about to enter the patrol car to help escort the offender to the cells, a friend of his came staggering up the street and narrowly missed falling into the flow of traffic.
When we stopped her to check on her welfare, we were quite suprised when some of the stolen sweets fell from her pockets, an arrest for handling stolen goods.

Whilst transporting the friend to the cells it became apparent that she had taken heroin and valium. As a result of this she could not open her eyes or lift her head.
She was subsequently de-arrested and escorted to the local hospital and passed into there care.

Once we had returned to our local area I resumed solo foot patrol and my PC colleague returned to borders to obtain his statement.
Within minutes a call came in for youths causing trouble outside of a local off licence, and that the shopkeeper would like them moved on.
Being a non confrontational pcso this type of job is what we deal with everyday, antisocial behaviour.

Upon arrival at the shop it became apparent that the Asian shopkeeper had been assaulted by 2 males who had then trashed part of his shop.
As bad as it sounds, yet again a PCSO had to radio for a PC to attend.
I reviewed the cctv and identified the offenders before obtaining there direction of travel.

As two Patrol cars pulled up, I directed one in the direction that the offenders had headed, and joined the pc in the second car to head towards the offenders home address.
As we turned into a side street we saw a group of youths, one of which was a male with no top on and blood on his knuckles....Result.
We both jumped out of the car and grabbed him, my colleague handcuffed him and passed him to me to get him into the back of the car.
As my colleague chased the remaining offender he was able to direct the second patrol to his position and safely apprehend the offender.

Job done, and another escort detail in the patrol car.
Then it was back on high visibility patrol for an hour before the end of my shift.

Local PCSO

Comments

The beginning

Sat, 13 Oct 2007 10:24:36 +0200

I guess I should start this blog off by stating that the thoughts and comments listed in this blog are not representative of any UK Police force as a whole, and are my thoughts, comments and experiences.

I have decided to put them down in black and white so that everyone can see what your average Police Community Support Officer gets up to on a day to day basis.
Recently we have been subject to quite a lot of criticism, which in my opinion is unjustified. The comments made by the Daily hate mail etc are not based upon fact and I doubt they have taken the time to speak to an actual PCSO.

This blog is for the rest of us, the ones who aren't guided by tabloid trash, and who like to form there own opinions as a result of the facts they have been presented with.

Rant over, I hope you enjoy the blog and please forward any comments (good or bad)

Local PCSO

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