Have the plods lost the plot?
Policeman Stuart Gray is known by his colleagues as ‘PC Shiny Buttons’. This rather Noddy-esque nickname has come about because PC Gray is over-zealous, which leads to lapses in commonsense and some embarrassing episodes for his force.
The entente cordiale was undoubtedly frosted recently when PC Gray took it upon himself to issue a £60 fixed penalty notice to a man who blew his nose in his vehicle. The really silly thing was that the vehicle was stationery in traffic with the handbrake on at the time of the offending nose blow. PC Gray’s rather too literal approach has caused a few red faces among the blue uniforms. And well it might.
Michael Mancini had pulled out a tissue to blow his nose while he had stopped in stationary traffic. Despite the fact that Mr Mancini had his handbrake on, PC Gray stated that the penalty was issued because Mr Mancini was “not in control of his vehicle”.
Originally the police intended to continue with the prosecution, but that has now been dropped, not least because Mr Mancini has very publicly refused to pay the fine, thinking that it was a ridiculous use of police effort and public resources.
A police source is reported to have said: ‘Total nonsense like this is the very opposite of good policing. This officer is known as PC Shiny Buttons for his lack of common sense approach to the job. It is supposed to be about serving and protecting the public - not embarking on some petty power trip.’
It’s all about priorities. Last year I was assaulted. According to the officer who investigated the case, the woman who perpetrated the assault admitted it. You would think that would be pretty straightforward. Proceed to prosecution, do not pass go, do not collect £200. But despite the admission our marvellous boys in blue still managed to conclude there was insufficient evidence for a prosecution. I expect they’re busily scouring traffic jams for drivers with colds!
And the police force wonder why the public support them less and less…….get a grip guys and get out there to protect the public.
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