It's not as if there aren't enough of them about already, is it? Most of us even rant about the same things. But, perhaps there is a reason for that. I've been reading a fair few blogs over the years; they're entertaining, informative, and best of all permit us ("the silenced") to speak out, anonymously, about issues the public should know about. My thanks go out to David Copperfield and his wonderful blog for keeping me entertained and sane the last few years, he is one of the few people out there who let me know that I'm not alone in the way I feel about policing in this country.
I refer in example to a recently departed colleague, DC Johnno Hills. He chose to speak out about insane practices, statistic chasing and 'so much paperwork if you could, you'd drown in it'. What he said was correct. His only mistake was signing his name at the end of the article in a national newspaper (oh, and perhaps having his photo taken, too).
It was quite disturbing to watch from the side-lines in another force, just how the force handled this incident. From my Sussex sources they say at first, an email came round 'supporting our right to free speech'. "We don't agree with what he said, but he has a right to say it." or words to that effect. Then, a few days later, another email came round reminding officers what they could and could not say. Then a few days after that, we learn DC Hills has been suspended (and that he subsequently resigned).
It doesn't pay to be honest and open with the public in our job. Is it any bloody wonder overall support for the police is dropping?
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