Probably not the best place

[Speedy]

I'm thinking of becoming a copper. Basically I've thought long and hard about it and I think I'd really enjoy it. Ultimately I want to give police a good name but I'd also like to get out and catch real criminals. Knowing nobody in the police and seeing the disrespect that bobbies on the beat get almost every minute of their jobs puts me off. But everything else about the job pulls me in.

I want to end up as a traffic cop or dog handler but I could imagine my judgement would be right as I've been on the "other end" of police many times. (I've not got a record, I've just been a bit naughty like the rest of us). What I mean is, I wouldn't be an asshole because I understand why people do things.

Is this the dumbest idea I've ever had?
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http://www.scum.co.uk

[DJ Perv]

Not at all. As long as your own personal ethics aren't precluded by what you feel the job demands.

I'm sure that everyone has had some misdemeanour in the past. We can learn from it, and be moderate. I.E someone who might have used drugs for instance would have learnt from his experiences that not all drug users are smackheads who rob and steal. In fact, I'd prefer a more tolerant police officer with some sort of experience of criminal matters to be policing the streets.

I think we can all agree that there is a necessity for the police, just sometimes the way in which they do things can be wrong. However, they are under an enormous pressure to follow home office directives etc.

If you think you can fit the job, whilst still being you, then go for it. It would require a change in behaviour, however. I.E None of the 'bad taste jokes'.

I've met people from all avenues of life and there are some police who are arseholes, but as a general people, the vast majority of them are individuals like you and me who are working as a means to an end, and a lot of them are doing a lot of good in the mean time.

[Loz]

You actually WANT to be a trafplod? Even other coppers hate the traffic tossers.
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[Speedy]

Yeah, that's what I wanted to hear perv

And yes Loz, but I want to do it for the thrill of the chase, catching drink drivers, car thieves and illegal vehicles rather than pulling over speeders. I mean I'd have to but I'd use discretion at least.
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http://www.scum.co.uk

[Neesh]

[Dubzter]

Go for it Speedy, it would be a great achievement!!

[Loz]

[Speedy]

TSG is mostly arresting people for being drunk and disorderly though isn't it? Also the frontline of abuse for "pigs in a wagon" is far more abrasive because they are seen as more of a "force" to resist. Plus I don't fancy being on the frontline of crowd control when there's a protest/riot unless I've got a dog infront of me.
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http://www.scum.co.uk

[Loz]

TSG do all the door entries, commissioners reserve, public order stuff in that London. You basically get to do all the truncheon wielding you can handle.
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[Speedy]

Sweet, I'll have a lookie
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http://www.scum.co.uk

[DJ Perv]

It wouldn't surprise me if all met officers will be trained in some form of TSG capability with the olympics coming up.

Police is also a great route if you want to study - know a lot of postgrads who signed up to get them to pay for their master/PhD courses.

[Loz]

Doubt it. More likely TSG will be in charge of the rest of the woodentops when it comes to public order, same as the big protests in town when that fella had the heart attack.
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