Why do people blame Police for the shortcomings in law?

Question

PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE ANSWERING.
I believe it is the ineffectual and limp wristed "government" that we have (UK) who are only concerned with appeasing the criminal classes and ensuring that lawers and barristers get rich from the protracted and complicated legal system that is in place here.
Police are not the problem as they can only work with the legislation given to them by government. DISCUSS.

I will concede that there are a small minority of coppers who are a disgrace to the uniform and they should be tossed out of the job immediately, although this is not the topic.

Do you think that the role and limitations of Police should be provided to victims of crime so as they are not disappointed by a perceived lack of action or progress?

Answer 1

I live in the US, but here is my opinion of how it is here. I believe that people see the police out all the time-patrolling and it's easier to blame them. They belive that once the police arrest someone, then they will be punished. Somehow, they think that they aren't doing there job because of all the crimes being committed by the same people. All the police can do is to arrest them, and then testify against them.
What people FAIL to remember is that it doesn't matter how often people are arrested, all it takes is to go hire an attorney and go before a judge. Their lawyers even postpone their appearance in court to get the judge they prefer.
Because the prisons are overcrowded and the costs of prosecuting someone is so high, it would be in the governments best interest to offer a plea bargain..or to simply put them on probation. When they are on probation, guess who is getting the money instead of having to spend it? The counties and the State are that's who!! They are more likely to go to prison for not paying their fees that they are if they break another law.
I know it's frustrating to see the same people out there breaking laws. So, we need to pay attention to the prosecutors and the judges we elect into office. To the people here in the US that don't vote, I don't want to hear them complain about how things are. At least, when you vote, you tried to make a difference.
The people breaking the law aren't worried at all. Even if they break probation, then they get another chance anyway. Then if they do go to prison, they eat 3 meals a day, have heat when it's cold and air when it's hot. They have no bills to pay and don't worry where they will have to sleep at night. Now, I know prisons can be hard for some people, but I think it's the people who want to change that have it hardest. Someone who is a career criminal know all the ropes and how to get by in there.

Answer 2

I was a London cop for 30 years and it never ceased to amaze me how we always got the blame. That applies in public order situations too - India invades Pakistan and the London police are pelted with rocks and bottles!! It is, however, the same the world over - the police always get attacked for the shortcomings of Government.

As far as enforcement is concerned, I often hear calls for "Zero Tolerance", and I for one would love to see it tried. There is, however, a serious flaw - who has seen police officers on the streets of London on a regular basis in strong enough numbers to enforce ANY laws, let alone ALL of them. (Out of interest, there are as many Constables and Sergeants - 19,000 - as there are London taxis - how many of each do you see a day?)

Most police officers use their discretion regularly, otherwise they would be overwhelmed with work. However, if, say, a police officer chose to enforce the law on smoking on a bus, it is not for the offender to claim misuse of power. Either you are right or wrong, and if the latter you should accept being challenged with good grace.

In the same way as the police, judges are often publicly made to look weak or stupid when they sentence offenders, or throw cases out such as the immigration detention cases. Once again, they strictly - and again I know because, after retirement from the police, I worked for one - follow the law. They are almost obsessive in ensuring that they get every facet of every decision right, for the very reason that they do NOT want to be criticised in any way. Yet, when they follow the ridiculous Human Rights legislation (that THIS Government introduced) and throw out more recently Government legislation that flouts it, the Government has the gall to criticise the judges instead of taking the blame.

Whoever said they want to leave the UK when their partner retires from the police, my advice is DO IT NOW. Get him to apply to be a cop in New Zealand - a friend of mine did it at 40.

Indeed, my advice to ALL English people is GET OUT before it's too late. The problems this country has, especially with immigration and the subsequent change of culture, are far too advanced to be reversed. Rather, they will advance with a self-perpetuating speed, until all vestiges of Englishness are gone.

Answer 3

Most people blame police simply because they are who get seen by the public. Most of the time when there is an issue requiring law enforcement it isn't the "limp wrists" you mention or the barristers its the cops who respond.
They do their jobs and most of them do it well and with integrity. After the accused gets into the system, that is when the wheeling and dealing starts, that has nothing to do with the cops.

Answer 4

It is the criminals who break the law who are the problem. The government gives them inadequate sentences which are served in comfortable surroundings. If the Government made the prison regime harder it would have a more deterrent effect. Build tent prisons with surrounding barbed wire and guards with tasers/dogs. No expensive prisons that we can't afford. Hard labour too. There is a State in America that does this and the mayor keeps getting re-elected. I wonder why? Its because he provides a cheap effective solution. And what is that phrase I heard Geoffrey Archer and others utter: He said 'prison doesn't work'. Yes it does. It keeps criminals off the streets preventing them committing more crimes.

Answer 5

My sympathy lies with the Police. The hours they have to work. The abuse they have to take. Injuries that hardly ever get a mention in the papers. Personally i think they are well up to standard. I have nothing but respect for them. I find them friendly , helpful and even being abused by kids still smile and try to talk the kids round. I once found blood-soaked bra and pantie - long pants in the woods, phoned the cops and they came out straightaway, i had to walk with a female Cop to the place i found the stuff and as we walked around the neighbours little boy passed us pushing his bike. She greeted him and asked him if he was allright, you know what the little blighter said to her "F..k ..f" , he is only 5 years old. Parents should teach their kids to respect them, they are the first people to help you should you be in trouble. I know there are some crooked cops around but then you find that everywhere and in every job. Respect to the Police:))

Answer 6

police are guardians of the law. if the law has shortcomings then the police are guardians of the shortcomings.if the law lords and the government do something totaly wicked that makes a complete and utter mess, then the coppers are there to guard the mess. cause. the wisdom of the wise has crumbled, so now we have fools making laws. the fools are changing good for evil and evil for good, and getting away with it.

Answer 7

my partner has been a cop for 19 years and he hates the paperwork now. to be honest he wants his retirement money. he feels his hands are tied alot of the time, and he isnt a bent cop. i wish he was still up but he is in bed knackered. I think the best thing is we wait now and leave this country, we wanna go to live abroad on his pension, which he has earned. he loved that job once, and the people are great (me being a WAG) but what can they do with all the restraints?

Answer 8

Because the general public has absolutely,no idea, about law or enforcement of laws or police work, Police are the first to be criticized and second guessed. You have no idea what it is like to be a cop until you put on a badge and gun and hit the street, no idea what so ever.

Answer 9

the police are being given many new rights that are wrong they taser a student in a university(all on tape ) for not showing ID ,constant random check points ,random searching if you disagree you get tasered ,arrrested ,beat down alot of it being under the tiltle the war on terror . 9/11 was an inside job and the pretext to go to war and take the rights of the people.

the state of war only exists as an excuse for domestic tyranny.

http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=786048453686176230&q=terrorstorm

Answer 10

Okay, I live in the US, but the same thing happens here. If it's a legitimate law one is breaking, it's fine for them to go for it. However, now people are getting tickets for such things as jaywalking, smoking (cigarettes) in public, etc.--and some coppers are just butts about it.