I didn't realize that a Vectra GSI would do 159mph!

I understand that the police need to be able to speed to respond to emergencies, in pursuit, etc. but in this case none of those types of reason applied.  I think the guy was wrong and should have been treated as such.

I'm undecided on this one. I agree that the police need to test their vehicles to see exactly what they are capable of. After all they don't want to wait until they are chasing someone to see how the car feels at high speeds. I guess what it comes down to is was the occasion in question a genuine test drive to determine the vehicles capabillities or is that just the excuse becuase he has been caught out. If it genuinely was the former then I don't have a problem with it. If he was out for a joy ride and got caught however then he should have been punished. 

skull wrote: police have testing grounds for any type of situation , no excuse.

But they don't chase bad guys on a testing ground do they. The RAF have simulators. This doesn't mean that they don't need to get out there and actually fly the aircraft at low level.

Like I said on my topic, I can see there is a need to know what these cars handle like on normal roads, if he's gone to the watch officer and asked permission to do this then I wouldn't have a problem.

As he apparently just decided to go thrash the a*** of the new car to try it out I think he was in the wrong.

However, reports suggest that West Mercia police have no system for authorising high speed test on normal roads, so perhaps he had no superior to ask.

I think it should have been authorised and probably supervised, how did he know for a fact when he did this that those roads were desrted and would remain so!

Doive wrote: However. The real issue is that a road user, regardless of occupation, time of day or experience level, has been excused for travelling at over twice the speed limit on a public highway. As has already been expressed, if that had been one of us ordinary folk we would have been relieved of our licence and possibly done some bird. If I went out tonight and did 120mph up and down Edinburgh city bypass at 4am I would undoubtedly get arrested. When presented before the judge I would inform him that I am a good driver with a clean licence, and therefore should be allowed to drive at these speeds, citing this case as background evidence. It would appear the fact he is a police officer has enabled him to step outside the law, making a mockery of it in the process.

Usual well though out comment Doive. Thinking about it I'm off to collect my 528 next week, can I be excused trying to achieve the book top speed of 146mph on the grounds of checking out a new vehicle - I think not!

M3AG wrote: He's also a trained Firearms officer, good job he didn't shoot someone to 'test' his new weapon?

Lol, how do you know he didn't and they just haven't found the bodies yet..........

Doive wrote: He was on a deserted motorway in the small hours of the morning - in conclusion possibly the best set of circumstances all in all for safe driving and accident avoidance.

not according to the reports - massive speeds in 30s, 60s and motorways

Rhys wrote: The police round here train on the by-pass, and have been sean doing well over a ton. 2 volvo's one in front weaving about 2nd following.

Think they'd mind if some of us civilians joined in procession?

Leave the copper alone.

He wemt a little over the top, and got away with it, good luck to him.

Other officers think he was over the top too.

Most of your gripes ( Stephen excepted ), are down to the stupid way speed limits are both set and enforced at the moment.

Despite cretins like CC Brunstrom, this has very little to do with the Police, they are often ignored at the partnership meetings and stick up for higher speed limits etc than many of you think.

Your real problem these days isn't the police, its the scamera partnerships, the do gooders on councils who listen to every bleating mother who wants Johnny to be able to play football in the middle of the M1, and the likes of brake and transport 2000.

Although over the top the PC is trained, so lets leave him alone to protect us.

Nigel wrote: Leave the copper alone. He wemt a little over the top, and got away with it, good luck to him. Other officers think he was over the top too.

I think twice the limit on the motorway and 3 timees the limit on other roads is more than a little over the top!

There should be a system by which this sort of driving can be authorised and monitored, otherwise how can he rate his performance, and without the control room's involvement how can they state as a fact the road was clear and it was safe. At nearly 3 miles a minute he had no way of ensuring that on his own.

rubberknees50 wrote: Nigel wrote: Leave the copper alone. He wemt a little over the top, and got away with it, good luck to him. Other officers think he was over the top too. I think twice the limit on the motorway and 3 timees the limit on other roads is more than a little over the top! There should be a system by which this sort of driving can be authorised and monitored, otherwise how can he rate his performance, and without the control room's involvement how can they state as a fact the road was clear and it was safe. At nearly 3 miles a minute he had no way of ensuring that on his own.

Knowing your/our background Ian, I'm surprised at your comments

Horsetan wrote: Nigel wrote: Make a start doing your regular advanced, see what friends you make ! When's your next training session?

Sunday AM, why, want to come ?

billgates e30 wrote: Nigel, what do you think of the RoSPA certidicates, any good or not??

I think any advanced driving course is good.

Horsetan wrote: Nigel wrote: ...Its in Worcester Horsey, .... Any chance of you doing a session nearer Herts.?

PM me your name, address, & phone number, and I'll get your local people to deal, or...come to an event that I'm at, and I'll give you a demo run, and an assessment drive, in whichever order you prefer.

Nigel wrote:   Knowing your/our background Ian, I'm surprised at your comments

Why? He's not saying it isn't necessary to do these sort of test drives, only they should be under control. Would either of you been allowed to take an RAF vehicle off base without authority on public roads and behave like this with no comeback?

Would you be pleased to hear they do these sort of sspeeds on the roads around your home whenever they took a fancy to?

Nigel wrote: Leave the copper alone. He wemt a little over the top, and got away with it, good luck to him. Other officers think he was over the top too. Most of your gripes ( Stephen excepted ), are down to the stupid way speed limits are both set and enforced at the moment. Despite cretins like CC Brunstrom, this has very little to do with the Police, they are often ignored at the partnership meetings and stick up for higher speed limits etc than many of you think. Your real problem these days isn't the police, its the scamera partnerships, the do gooders on councils who listen to every bleating mother who wants Johnny to be able to play football in the middle of the M1, and the likes of brake and transport 2000. Although over the top the PC is trained, so lets leave him alone to protect us.

Well said Nigel.

I haven't read all of the replies since I last looked but a lot of the comments people have made are about "why shouldn't I be allowed to test my car out and see what it can do?"

The simple answer to this is because it isn't your job to pursue criminals who are very likely to break the speed limit in order to get away. Some of you guys would be the first to complain if the Police weren't allowed to break the limit in order to chase a criminal. 

whiterider wrote: Nigel wrote:   Knowing your/our background Ian, I'm surprised at your comments Why? He's not saying it isn't necessary to do these sort of test drives, only they should be under control. Would either of you been allowed to take an RAF vehicle off base without authority on public roads and behave like this with no comeback? Would you be pleased to hear they do these sort of sspeeds on the roads around your home whenever they took a fancy to?

I would be very surprised if Ian never abused his uniform, or rank to suit himself, never used an crows footed battery in a civvy peice of kit, never used HM Equipment for his own benefit, including vehicles.

The reason for all the publicity when this stuff happens is due to the stupid enforcement of stupid motoring laws to pander to the politicaly correct, gobby few.

The Police in some ways ask for this, but the press make it ten times worse.

I didn't see any complaints when West Mercia ( this guys force) nicked the camera van.

The far worse event recently was when the Manchester head of road safety ( a high ranking policeman) was caught doing 100 plus on the M6 toll road in his own car.

The PC was almost certainly enjoying himself, there probably was an element of test to what he was doing, even in some of his colleges opinions he went too far, but he got away with it so good luck to him.

The lady with the apple is another good example of how the Police can cock it up, although I'm sure we will never know the truth about that.

By pandering to the press idiots on stories like this I think you are actually helping groups like brake and transport 2000.

On BBC radio two yesterday even the IAM wouldn't speak out against the officer, even though everyone there knew what he did was at the very least a bit tounge in cheek.

Everyone who drives seems to be feling bitter about how the motoring laws are enforced, but on the whole it isn't the police.

You would be amazed at just how many officers have been procescted for doing 35 in a 30, on duty, in Panda cars by the scamera partnerships.

And they have been nicked, not let oiff, the odd story hits the headlines like the Ambulance driver on the motorway with the donated organs for an op. One of the scamera partnerships involved (not the Police ) just wouldn't let this drop, so the government eventually made them, then they said they were just clarifying the law !

How many times have people on here been stopped and "given advice", I certainly have.

At some point we need to support our Police, and fight the real enemy, the road safety campaigners who would have us all back to a man in front with a red flag.

Well said again Nigel  

Goldryder wrote: but I just get the feeling this officer let his adrenaline get the better of him.

Well I get the feeling that Micheal Jackson is Guilty. It doesn't make it so.

Nostrils

You want to try serving with them.

The old days of one for all and all for one have gone. After Hm forces I was shocked.

Someone, it doesn't need to be a senior rank, got hold of the rom and made a case of it, it could even have been a civvy worker, the PC should be slapped for not clearing it.

The Police force can seem so bent at times it makes you scream, but what else have we got ?, and who you going to call when your car gets nicked ?

I can imagine the response on here to " sorry sir, we couldn't get your car back as the bandits went above the speed limit"

The officer hasn't done himself, or his traffic career any favours, and will have embarrassed his mates.

But he hasn't killed or even hurt anyone, you all use this arguement against the scamera partnerships, but seem bitter when someone gets away with it.

Nigel I would be very surprised if Ian never abused his uniform, or rank to suit himself, never used an crows footed battery in a civvy peice of kit, never used HM Equipment for his own benefit, including vehicles. At some point we need to support our Police, and fight the real enemy, the road safety campaigners who would have us all back to a man in front with a red flag.[/QUOTE wrote: Actually, although it's a long time ago, I don't remember doing anything comparable with this, I did get caught for speeding on my motorbike, dealt with it on my own, may have had a "but he's a good boy really" letter from my boss. I got a fine and points as I expected, and for months after was known as the office criminal. Wasn't on an aircraft squadron at the time so may have made

Actually, although it's a long time ago, I don't remember doing anything comparable with this, I did get caught for speeding on my motorbike, dealt with it on my own, may have had a "but he's a good boy really" letter from my boss. I got a fine and points as I expected, and for months after was known as the office criminal. Wasn't on an aircraft squadron at the time so may have made a difference.

I don't have a problem with this officer or the need for such familiarisation, it is obviously necessary.  I do think it should be organised properly.

The control room cameras would be able to confirm the road was clear and it was safe to proceed, and surely an observer to assess his performance, as the IAM do, would be more effective than him rating himself, or can it be done from the disc? At those speeds how can he examine the way he drove the car to see if any more practise at certain manouevers were needed.

Yes, someones life could depend on his skill. So he should have all the practise he needs until he and his superiors are happy they know the limits of the drivers and the car, but do it properly so no more officers are put in this position.

Could be a lot worse, try running from one of these, aussie police have Holden Monaros

[QUOTE=Goldryder] [QUOTE=M3AG] I see the court had this to say

The court heard the roads on which Pc Milton drove were deserted at the time of the patrol and that driving conditions were good

So in theory, if I was to take my car down to a deserted motorway, in the early hours of the morning, as it was light and go at 140+ mph, I would be OK if I were caught?

The truth is that what you say should be right: sticking to the speed limits doesn't make roads safe: Important factors are:

1) Traffic conditions

2) Weather conditions

3) Driver's condition

Say that there's no traffic, road is dry and you are not tired. If you drive at a constant 70mph, it's almost certain that you will have an accident: get off the road, because you'll "fall asleep" on the wheel, due to the monotonous journey. (Today's cars are so quiet and efficient, that you think you don't move even at 90mph!)

Driving at a higher speed will keep you alert, via hormonic stimulation (adrenaline secretion) and you will reach your destination safely. But again, if you keep a constant high speed, say 120mph (provided you don't get caught), then again monotony factor is induced plus tiredness, because of the continuous effort of high speed driving.

So if you change your speed every so often, then this is it!

Now I don't understand why the fellow police officers did prosecute their colleague; they could have disregarded the recording and the matter wouldn't have reached such publicity... Stupidity? or inability to act otherwise?

what annoys me is that colin mcrae richard burns tommi makkinen were done for speeding during a rally

WHAT DONT THEY KNOW HOW TO DRIVE??????????

one rule for them and one for us

darren

when max power and fast car went to soutend last time the police had a ferrari and a audi tt so they have got fast cars round here

in london ive seen evos and scoobys they look normal till they turn there lights on

darren

probably and a couple of other super italian cars

darren

i remember when the m25 had a lot of escort cossies when they fist come outplus they tune all there cars up even though they say they are not liars 159mph out of a vectra lol!!!!!!!!

darren

about two years ago i brought a astra and it had to go back for some work and i borrwed the salesmans car which was the same as the cop car it was a w reg but that was the only difference that only done 145 me and my mate tested it on the a13 so i beleive that car ihas been tampered with

darren

If its so important to be able to "Hone Your Skills" ala PC Martin without breaking the law,  get yourself off to the 6 Thousand Km of Autobahn still Unrestricted--I Hone each year @ 260kph + , and sharpen up the reflexes for 3 days on the NurburgRing--- BUT-- I dont do 130kph in a 48kph zone.

Many posts have pointed out the Real problems with OUR countries Govt attitude to the Motorist, being political and revenue motivated Only. This Govt pass ill conceived laws and then the public have to accept a feeble , unsupervised, ill advised response from the Courts, CPS and Police , Headless chickens in ever decreasing circles.

If YOU dont like what you get--AND have been getting for some years, You were invited to Vote it away---BUT you didnt want it enough.

So NO good complaining about one law for them, one for you----You have 4 years to think about it.

Horsetan wrote: [ Having used the A13, I came to the conclusion that 145 was the average speed of many of the drivers....

And that was on the hard shoulder..........

A friend of mine was pulled over on the M2 years back roadtesting a Suzuki 500. When the officers asked him if he knew he was doing 85mph on a road where the limit was 70mph he replied " No officer, I thought I was doing a ton"

Heard nothing for ages (while every officer on traficc had a good laugh?) then it was dropped. Who says the police don't have a sense of humour!

B 7 VP wrote: If its so important to be able to "Hone Your Skills" ala PC Martin without breaking the law,  get yourself off to the 6 Thousand Km of Autobahn still Unrestricted--I Hone each year @ 260kph + , and sharpen up the reflexes for 3 days on the NurburgRing--- BUT-- I dont do 130kph in a 48kph zone. Many posts have pointed out the Real problems with OUR countries Govt attitude to the Motorist, being political and revenue motivated Only. This Govt pass ill conceived laws and then the public have to accept a feeble , unsupervised, ill advised response from the Courts, CPS and Police , Headless chickens in ever decreasing circles. If YOU dont like what you get--AND have been getting for some years, You were invited to Vote it away---BUT you didnt want it enough. So NO good complaining about one law for them, one for you----You have 4 years to think about it.

I wondered when you would appear and try and move the subject onto the government.  

rubberknees50 wrote: The main problem of course is would any of the other parties do it any different!

Of course it would be different, I cant imagine the tories spouting this much rubbish for so long.

This government hates cars and their drivers, and will use every trick in the book, plus some, to extort more money from us under any guise so they can support whatever good cause they next want to play with.

Who the hell votes labour ?

I didn't but none of the other main parties would do anything different, the Tories included.

I still don't know what this has to do with a police officer doing 159mph though.....................

Peter Fenwick wrote: I still don't know what this has to do with a police officer doing 159mph though.....................

I thought we'd done that one, he did it, presented his reasons in court, and got away with it.

I can't see anyone launching a retrial just because we want to have a go at speeding from time to time, when its safe to do so....me included.

All this bitterness towards the police regarding speeding is, in my opinion, caused by ill feeling towards speed cameras and their operators.

This is NOT the police, they still do their speed campaigns where they are needed, but are not in control of scameras.

I assure you lots and lots of policemen and women have had tickets for breaking the speed limit , whilst on duty, driving police vehicles, and they do pay the fines, and take the points.

Training or 999 shouts, what do you want ?, do you want them to respond to you as quickly as they think they can ?, ( we are all open to mistakes )

Hindsight is always a great thing, and the report you get over the radio can be very different from whats happening in reality.

The officers themselves are demoralised enough with all this stuff, as are fireman and ambulance drivers, who get nicked in equal numbers.

Why should they get away with the odd mistake ?, because they are serving us, day in, day out, whichever service they belong to.

If your bitter about how traffic laws are being enforced, try your mp, bombard your scamera partnership etc, the police force is still a disciplined service, and as such they are required to do as theyre told.

Its the bosses I want lol, the one who was in charge of road safety from manchester, brunstrom etc.

Not the rank and file guys and gals.

The likes of brake, and transport 2000, red ken etc, they are the real problem.

Several people have mentioned that the PC should use a track for that sort of speed while "testing the car", as track day user on the bike I think you can learn a lot about the vehicle on a track but in all honesty, not a lot of that is relevent on the road, on a track you know there is nothing coming towards you, you ignore/tape up mirrors, know the road surface is free from oil and so on.

I think the police should set an example, that is part of their job, but I also think think that they need to constantly train themselves, by courses and by driving fast in real world circumstances, if my girlfriend was knocked over by ordinary car driver who drove off from the scene and the police pursued them I would hope that they have enough training to catch the "bad person" (I remembered the moderators )

The only thing that, in my opinion would have helped thie PC is if he had someone else in the car to assist (observation etc.) - that would have reduced the "going for a jolly" out-cry by the press.

Cheers,

Bryce

Even his fellow officers think he was a very lucky chappy indeed to get away with this.

He is not a good example to use.

I'm not too disapointed, as if I ever get stopped for a few miles over the limit I shall claim I have new tyres or whatever, I'm trained to advanced level, and I was testing the vehicle etc.

I hope you will all come and visit me in HMP Whatever

To expect there will ever be a Police force in this country or any country for that matter that doesn't have a few bad apples is unrealistic. In any job or walk of life there are bad apples and the police are no different. 

The fact that you only ever hear about the bad ones is because as a general rule only bad news makes good news.

What evidence do you have for saying that there are some of the Police are persistant speeders who use the uniform as a cover? Just because there have been a few high profile cases of the Police being caught speeding doesn't mean that the individuals involved are persistant speeders.

As a final thought, the Police need to operate, on certain occasions, to different rules than the rest of us in order to do their job. If you rang the Police because a man had broken into your house with the intention of raping you would you not want the Police to be there as soon as possible?

 Nigel, The present opinions of the majority of Drivers,regarding the Police and the non existant PR improvement is very easy to understand.Peter F will be pleased to read, once again--if you have a slime Govt who Hijacks the police authority for its own political purposes, you must expect a breakdown in respect and co-operation from the Taxpayers.

The police service have allowed themselves to be taken over -  as if a Labour party department, and Did NOT protest, the Silence was deafening.In the belief that Millions of extra Stats will cure the ever increasing crime in this country, and the 9000 extra police paid by tax increases, will improve the law & order situation, and Taking TrafPol OFF our roads ------the position is Worse than ever.

The Police have NOT made it known that the whole system is crumbling away. due to the interference of Leftwing brainwashed zombies.Having the police take the blame for drivers anger, is the usual hands off -hide behind way that the slime work-labour sweetness & light working for the people with a complete lack of success.

With some signs that the "scamera,s solve All probs" being reviewed , and realisation that many mistakes have been and are being made--time will tell what the drivers attitude will be in the future on Police thinking and actions---many years good public PR destroyed in a short time , apathy helping it along.

John

The rank and file police officers do make noise, but it is a disciplined service, not quite nazi stuff, but they do have to comply with whatever stupid thinking comes from above.

You have spent many a happy hour with them in the past, I have too, and still do occasionaly.

As you are in the Central region, would you like me to look into a car club event involving the Police ?

I can't promise I can achieve anything but I can have a go at something that involves the Police perhaps with IAM backup, an improve your driving day  ?

Any other ideas ?

Ally

Havent you ever made a mistake and had a mate cover you ?

Havent you ever told a porkie to get out of a spot ?

Day in day out they are dealing with the law, since the introduction of PACE in 1984 things have been getting worse for our officers.

The scumbags quite often know the system better than the officers ( ask me how I know this one ! ).

How about you get a shout for a burglary at a shop,( night time, shop is shut obviously), several officers attend, you are walking along  the top of a 5 foot brick wall when you see one of your fellow officers cornered by a thug  ( could be drugged up at this stage, you don't know), the thug has a knife, you drop on this thug from the wall, you put his shoulder out of joint, you then spend the next few weeks working with your senoir officers trying to avoid an assault charge, GBH at one point.

This is the real effect of the press and people that keep bleating on about so called abuses of the uniform.

There is a large contingent of "travellers" that have appeared in your area, since their arrival burglaries and thefts from motor vehicles have gone through the roof, just a coincidence...perhaps, but .......you can't even approach them officially, they have rights you wouldn't believe.

Keep it up Ally, you and your like minded souls, keep plugging away, you never know, perhaps you'll eventually get the Police service disbanded.

I'd call getting away with the odd speeding offence, ( if indeed they do ), a perk of the job, wonder if anyone else gets any "perks" in their job ?

I did hear once that in Lancashire, special constables get away with the odd camera speeding offence, but regulars don't, why ?, they are desperately short of police officers, and they were afraid the specials would resign.

B 7 VP wrote:  Nigel, The present opinions of the majority of Drivers,regarding the Police and the non existant PR improvement is very easy to understand.Peter F will be pleased to read, once again--if you have a slime Govt who Hijacks the police authority for its own political purposes, you must expect a breakdown in respect and co-operation from the Taxpayers. The police service have allowed themselves to be taken over -  as if a Labour party department, and Did NOT protest, the Silence was deafening.In the belief that Millions of extra Stats will cure the ever increasing crime in this country, and the 9000 extra police paid by tax increases, will improve the law & order situation, and Taking TrafPol OFF our roads ------the position is Worse than ever. The Police have NOT made it known that the whole system is crumbling away. due to the interference of Leftwing brainwashed zombies.Having the police take the blame for drivers anger, is the usual hands off -hide behind way that the slime work-labour sweetness & light working for the people with a complete lack of success. With some signs that the "scamera,s solve All probs" being reviewed , and realisation that many mistakes have been and are being made--time will tell what the drivers attitude will be in the future on Police thinking and actions---many years good public PR destroyed in a short time , apathy helping it along.

Why is it you try to turn every topic around back on to the government.

The fact that this officer was caught speeding and got off has nothing to do with the government.

While I do not agree with this governments transport policy, your almost hysterical 'the governments out to get us all' view point is IMO worrying.

Either you do believe it and are just a little bit crazy  

Or you are using a common political tactic of trying to spread fear in order to further your own political ends

Also is it within the rules and guidelines that you can use this forum to push your own political agenda, which you clearly are doing.

Nigel wrote: This is the real effect of the press and people that keep bleating on about so called abuses of the uniform. Keep it up Ally, you and your like minded souls, keep plugging away, you never know, perhaps you'll eventually get the Police service disbanded.

Well said!

Ally you said yourself that the problem is only with a minority. Well if you know that yet still let that minority colour your view of the entire force then it says more about you than them

Typical news story.

How many stories have there been about druggies, gang members, etc etc etc getting CS ?

He paid a very high price, job pension etc, and so he should.

The sentencing system is very very odd.

I like the jokes that start with murder = I month in the sun with two page three models.

And end up with life inprisonment for 31 in a 30 mph zone.

Just look at the youngsters who commit motoring offences, and as part of their punishment are taken rally driving, remember that story ?

My son would almost give an arm to go rally driving, but as I and his mother make him be a good boy, and we can't afford the cost, he can't go.

Yet young thugs get it for free.

Peter Fenwick wrote: Nigel wrote: This is the real effect of the press and people that keep bleating on about so called abuses of the uniform. Keep it up Ally, you and your like minded souls, keep plugging away, you never know, perhaps you'll eventually get the Police service disbanded. Ally you said yourself that the problem is only with a minority. Well if you know that yet still let that minority colour your view of the entire force then it says more about you than them

Not sure on the last line but I certainly have found more friendly, helpful, officers in uniform than I have obnoxious ones, the few of the latter I've come across I would not take as a general example.

In fact, my ex brother in law is a police officer in Peterborough and he would be horrified to be considered in any way similar to some of these recently in the news.

I do think it would help public moral if the loose cannons were seen to be disciplined, but the police must be getting sick of all this as well, and they have to deal with all the crap on the streets.

Well there you go, that should keep most people happy, and removes my new found excuse for having a blast....dam.

I wonder how many times that been quoted to officers in the last few days lol, just testing me new tyres mate, and like your chap I'm also qualified to advanced standard !

"Why is it you try to turn every topic around back on to the government.

The fact that this officer was caught speeding and got off has nothing to do with the government.

While I do not agree with this governments transport policy, your almost hysterical 'the governments out to get us all' view point is IMO worrying.

Either you do believe it and are just a little bit crazy  

Or you are using a common political tactic of trying to spread fear in order to further your own political ends

Also is it within the rules and guidelines that you can use this forum to push your own political agenda, which you clearly are doing."

My post said NOT one word about the Speeding issue---it was in reply to Nigels comments on Police/Public relations which have deteriorated over the past 7-8 years. This has increased since the Govt.s Policy to use UK drivers as a political and Financial tool -and the Leftwing slime within their party, use the motorist on every opportunity as the reason for the the world coming to an end, while ignoring all other issues.

You , must live on a parallel world,  to not realise that the many problems with our country, have been created by THIS Govt,s inability to DO what it said it Could do--But needed more taxpayers money to to do it.So passing 1000 New laws since coming into power, many meaningless interference,s in our life , has impressed you ??. 

Youve found me  Out !!!!  , a closet political activist spreading doom n Gloom for my Political Ends--My Agenda is to remain a Free thinking-Free talking Petrolhead, one that is tolerant of other like minded people in a Democracy, and on a democratic Forum---if YOU wish to wear rose coloured glasses, enjoy while you can--they are on the next banned list !!!.

Goldryder wrote: There are bent, obnoxious, racial coppers in every force. Every force CC knows this. Its left to the CC in those forces to deal with it.

 This isn't only confined to the police, it's everywhere. The police do have a duty and obligation to be impartial - and they are expected to maintain that no matter what the provocation.

Of course they can't stamp it all out completely, not without mind control - lets not go there!, I have no idea how hard the CC's try, but they have constraints as well.

I just don't think having to deal with societies problems AND face constant sniping from the press is hardly helping them deal with any of these problems. Freedom of the press is great, but it can so easily be abused.