Should we reinstate the Police's power........?

Question

to give these horrible little hoodie thugs running around our UK streets in their 100's, a clip around the ear or a dry slap?

Dee... yes... I think it is ok... while we're at it... reinstate teachers power too.

Paul - I agree, but I posted a question yesterday under parenting and it would appear that the majority of people don't know where their 10 year olds are!

Answer 1

Couldn't agree more.
And when the parents complain, give them a good smacking too.

Answer 2

When I was growing up, the Police were someone you respected and the threat of being carted home was enough to make us all behave. It seems nowadays that there is no respect for anyone in authoritive roles, police, teachers etc.

I don't think society is yet ready to go back to those good old days, parenting, media etc all need to take a responsibility to teach youngsters about respect, authority and boundaries, then this can be a realistic option. I suspect all that would happen now, is that the Police, teachers etc would become either sitting ducks to more abuse as the thugs feel they need to "defend themselves" or scapegoats that they are the cause for the downfall.

I don't think they can win to be honest. It's a thankless job nowadays.

Answer 3

I agree with Paul that the parents need to step up and take responsibility for what they have created, but then again, you do have some parents that will not care regardless of what we feel should happen. That being the case, corporal punishment should be permissable to law enforcement personnel. A good back-hand to the chops corrected my attitude and closed my mouth many a times when I was growing up and I am sure that could work for some of the little brats that run the streets now a days.

Answer 4

Let's go back to Desmond Morris, and 'The Naked Ape'. What most do-gooders forget is that we are actually animals. Just look at any animal bringing up its young, and you'll see that warnings play their part in teaching discipline, but there's always a physical threat in reserve. Remove that threat, and the warnings lose their power.

There's a little known statistic that when the Isle of Man had the birch as an official punishment, vandalism was almost non-existent. When EU legislation made them repeal that punishment, vandalism was at mainland levels within 3 months. I'd like to see the birch legalised across the EU. I think it would contain an awful lot of the social problems we're currently experiencing. It also has the benefit that it can in no way be described as gratuitous violence. In most cases, just the threat would be enough.

Answer 5

The trouble today is there is no respect. Kids don't respect themselves let alone the police (or anyone else in authority such as teachers). Parents should take responsibility and not leave it to others. I have two children (a daughter of 29 and a son of 27 years), and they still say 'thank you' if I cook for them when they come to visit. Neither of them are scared of me, you don't have to bully children into respecting you, but you do need to lead by example. You also need ot teach children how to respect themselves. A child who has self-respect inevitably will be respectful of others. Yes, I agree the EU has taken away a lot of the 'powers' of the police and teachers but come on parents, do your bit!!

Answer 6

I am very uneasy about giving the police the authority to instantly judge and punish. This will undoubtedly lead to abuse on one side and legal action on the other.
A return to corporal punishment however, is an excellent idea. This would serve as a deterrent in many cases and be cheap to administer. Strokes of the cat or cane could be administered following a plea bargain, the offender receiving punishment without a criminal record.
If, as is the current trend, parents are to take legal responsibility for their children's' behaviour, they should retain the authority to carry out a range of physical punishments.
No responsibility without authority!

Answer 7

Yes deffinetly,only at 9pm last night we had hell up outside my house,with drunken teenagers,all my wife did was ask them to be quiet,and she was attacked by 1 of the girls then the others started to join in as well,by the time the police came they were on there way,if you press charges you dont what repercutions theres going be after with them all,you dont know what to do for the best,theyve got no respect for the police these days,they just arnt bothered because the police cant do a lot about them,the laws far to soft.

Answer 8

The Police never actually had the 'power' to give people a slap! It was just accepted - same as if a teacher gave you a slap..it wasn't unusual for your parents to hit you too.
BUT , good or bad society has moved on.
So, if it's ok for the bobbies to do it - ask yourself if it's ok for everyone else?

Answer 9

The police need to start slapping the scum around. They should give them a zap with there stun guns and beat the thugs in a quiet corner.

Answer 10

Yes. And give teachers the cane back. And make parents go on parenting courses if their kids are causing trouble. Where I live, it's not as much as a problem. Or it doesn't appear to be, anyway.

Answer 11

sorry ellie i know its your question but i have to answer dee, yes it should be ok to let everybody do it. instead of giving police the power, why not let everday folk have the power to drag these little s***s into their homes and hold them hostage for a week or so whilst torturing them with everyday objects. i doubt their parents would even know they are gone. and we'd free up time for the police to catch murderers and rapists. LOL